George W. Bush 'Holed Up' in Texas: Not Much Demand For Former President

WASHINGTON (AP)-- Former President Bill Clinton is busy on the campaign trail, helping candidates in races from Florida to Washington state. His successor, George W. Bush? Holed up in Texas.

Bush left office deeply unpopular and sour on domestic politics. After leaving Washington and returning to Texas, he has kept a low profile, working on his memoir and appearing only occasionally at paid speeches. Aides say he has no plans to be a figure in this year's elections, which could see major gains for the GOP.

Republicans, who paid electoral costs in 2006 and 2008 for Bush's unpopularity, are hardly clamoring for the 43rd president to join them on the campaign trail. After all, an Associated Press-GfK poll last month found 55 percent of all Americans have an unfavorable opinion of Bush and 51 percent blame him for the economic crisis that began on his watch.

While he enjoys popularity with base conservatives, Bush is not necessarily an in-demand figure for candidates trying to fault President Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats for the economic mess. Republicans across the nation are trying to lay the blame for 15 million out-of-work Americans at Democrats' feet.

Republican strategists are quick to say they respect the former president but add they are not begging him to join candidates at rallies. Bush's unpopularity was one of the chief reasons Sen. John McCain's presidential bid in 2008 failed, as then-candidate Obama's allies painted the Arizona Republican as a mere third term for Bush.

Since leaving office, Bush has written a memoir, set to be published after the Nov. 2 election. "Decision Points" will be released on Nov. 9 with an initial printing of 1.5 million copies - the same run Clinton enjoyed for his memoir.

For his part, Clinton has emerged a popular figure for Democrats. Since leaving office in 2001, the president has repaired his image and used his star power to raise millions of dollars for developing countries and for Democrats. Clinton's schedule has him visiting Kentucky, Nevada and his home state of Arkansas on behalf of Democrats in tough races.

Comments

[Frank Padia]

08:58 PM on 11/17/2010

There is a very good reason that you do not see the former President out on the Campaign trail, the same reason you never saw his father. Neither man thinks it is proper for a former President to openly criticize the current person in office. Unlike Clinton whose ego would never let him spend 15 minutes out of the spotlight, President Bush may disagree with President Obama, but he treats him with the dignity and respect that he deserves as President of the United States. All of you on the left have such deep seated hatred for any conservative you cannot even percieve that someone could actually treat a political opponent with respect. You can blame the former President for everything that happened to the economy, but for the past 2 years your anoited one has been at the helm and things are even worse. In spite of the billions you all cheered about being thrown at the problem, things got even worse. Keep demanding Obama stay the course and you will have a one term President.... does the name Jimmy Carter ring a bell.

[Alan Papacito]

06:23 PM on 11/09/2010

Mmm, not much call for used enema bags either.

[liberalOrgonian]

12:14 PM on 10/15/2010

Bully Bush did not even listen to poppy bush.
Had he, he would not be the WORST PRESIDENT EVER.
Instead he listened to icky cheney and rove,
now he has to live with that decision from his hide-e-hole.

[RedWhiteBlue-abc]

09:58 PM on 10/16/2010

You're a small, sick, pathetic person. I feel very sorry for you.

[liberalOrgonian]

11:44 AM on 10/15/2010

Bushed had 8 years to work on his reputation, but no, he tirelessly went on a spending, lying and killing spree leaving him the WORST PRESIDENT IN US HISTORY.
HE CREATED HIS OWN REPUTATION.
We were lied to, driven to war and left bankrupt.
Bush and friends did this, now they have to live with it from a hide-d- hole.
I only wish they invited that rove fellow down the rabbit hole with them.

[liberalOrgonian]

11:29 AM on 10/15/2010

President Clinton left office with the treasury overflowing with money. Bushed spent it all and then some leaving this country bankrupt. Big difference, one fiscally responsible, one blew the entire federal budget. Bush must have known this would not win him an elevated place in history. He lived large and spent every penny and with rove and cheney help destroyed the American dream. Now rove is going to finish off the country by selling it to the highest FOREIGN bidder.
Bushed was a bumblingidiot, and most famously lied us into war. W is still asking,
"See any WMD anywhere"?

[liberalOrgonian]

12:03 PM on 10/15/2010

That trillion you want back kept teachers in the class room and cops on their beats on OUR state. The roads around town are getting their needed repair. You will have to collect that money from these lucky teachers, cops and road workers.
Good luck with that.

[liberalOrgonian]

12:08 PM on 10/15/2010

correction, in our state not on.

[Howard Scott Pearlman]

02:46 PM on 10/14/2010

Bush should be Holed Up In Jail .....

..... for allowing 911 to happen ....

..... and for the Bush lies that got America into the Iraq War !

[RedWhiteBlue-abc]

05:58 PM on 10/14/2010

Please respect your fellow Americans and your country a little. I find your comment to be extremely offensive. Comments like this reflect very poorly on all of us as a nation. We are one of the few places in the world who talk about our leaders and ourselves in such a negative manner.

[Anonymous17]

10:49 PM on 10/14/2010

Please do not attack myself or sugarmoes in person. If you can't play nicely please do not interact with us.

***RedWhiteBlue-abc 21 minutes ago (10:24 PM)
0 Fans
You are a very small, ugly person. We have nothing more to say to each other. ***

This reflects poorly on you as an American.

[liberalOrgonian]

12:06 PM on 10/15/2010

If you are SO OFFENDED find a tmonkey blog and go at it.
I am tired of reading how offended you are.
Clearly 8 years of bush left us OFFENDED TOO.

If you have not realized THIS IS A LIBERAL BLOG.

[Brandon Stinson]

04:38 PM on 10/13/2010

The unnecessary bickering between our two major politcal parties is a bunch of nonsense. Who cares!? So Bush screwed our country, what president hasn't in some for or another. I don't seem to understand why we have to have so much of a divide between us. It comes down to the basic principle; we want whatever is necessary for us to live happy lives. But we're not getting it. Why? Because instead of working together to formulate a plan to acomplish that, we're too busy placing blame on each other. It's no one elses fault but the peoples. Don't blame the politicians they are just doing what WE essentially told them to do. So why don't we at least attempt to get over our petty differences to try and make this country a better place for everyone.

[RedWhiteBlue-abc]

09:25 PM on 10/13/2010

The divide is very deep and very serious. 50% of our population pays no income tax and yet has the votes to vote themselves an endless number of gimmies and freebies, knowing very well that the other 50% of society will have to pay the bill. I don't know how this is going to end, but I don't think the folks doing the giving are in the mood for much more. They even think we should feed, cloth, educate, employ half of northern Mexico too.....just wait till we start givin free healthcare to Mexico, wow.

[Anonymous17]

12:44 AM on 10/14/2010

Where are the numbers on 50% of the population paying no income tax and 50% of the society having to tote the bill coming from?

Even unemployment is taxed after the first $2400.00. So what this in effect saying is that the unemployment rate in the country for man, woman, and child is 50%? If all the children who are not yet old enough to work, and those who are retired and on Social Security are counted this might just be right... So why not figure out the % of able bodied working adults who pay income tax and then the percentage of them who do not pay income tax. "excluding those who have expended their Unemployment and can't find a job." Wouldn't be fair to include those who cannot find a job.

Would very many people think the USA should feed, cloth, educate, and employ half of northern Mexico, not likely... Nationalizing those that are already hear with family in the country? That may be a different story.

This being said who is going to go hand pick crops for $3.00 per hour when the conservatives remove the minimum wage and the Illegals are sent back to Mexico. Just who is going to work for this pittance of money?

Where is that free healthcare?

[MsNatTurner]

12:52 PM on 11/12/2010

are you referring to the churches that don't pay taxes, yet have incredible influence on elections? last i checked, we spend most of our money on wars, and we're still slipping from the number one spot. this is a dirty system, and it does no good to blame poor people for it. they don't decide who gets bailouts and they don't decide whose taxes to cut.

[RedWhiteBlue-abc]

09:39 PM on 10/13/2010

Many people here in Texas would really prefer to return to the Republic of Texas if we ever get the chance to vote on this & it might be possible some day if things don't change. If we drive around the state, we often see the flag of the Republic of Texas with no sight of the US flag. The bumper sticker: "Enough, Secede Now" is very common.

[sugarmoes]

10:11 PM on 10/13/2010

i wish texas would do that. texas is one of the lowest states in education and texas is one of the states that sucks the most at the federal teat. good riddance, i say.

[Anonymous17]

10:23 PM on 10/13/2010

Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya Texas.

[WriterGirl]

11:17 AM on 10/13/2010

Too bad... I'd love to see Bush out and about. Constant reminders of what that administration cost us as a nation wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.

[gwix]

02:52 PM on 10/13/2010

I couldn't agree more. :)

F/F'd

[PersonFromEarth]

08:00 PM on 10/13/2010

I third that comment

[mjc1900]

10:41 AM on 10/13/2010

Once again, another article for the whacko leftists to attack.
Remember Carter? He was in the same situation. He did not stick his head out of the hole for years!
Will o. have to do the same thing in two years; yep!

[PersonFromEarth]

08:01 PM on 10/13/2010

"Will o. have to do the same thing in two years; yep! "

Let's hope it doesn't have anything to do with WMDs or the American economy.

[HDNKR]

02:45 AM on 10/13/2010

Bottom line....Im glad he is out of the lime light and for that matter there are several former presidents that would do themselves a favor by following Bush's lead! We have one president who is still trying to remove the stigma of being the worst president in the history of the U.S. and if he lets things play out with Obama that will take care of itself and another who is trying to be remembered as a statesman rather than a womanizer and one who was impeached and that distinction will never go away!

[Anonymous17]

11:38 PM on 10/12/2010

Terrorism:

1. The use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.
2. The state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.
3. A terroristic method of governing or of resisting a government.

Anyone see a direct correlation to the Bush Administration?

[HDNKR]

02:41 AM on 10/13/2010

No but I see a correlation to substance abuse based on your idiotic statement!

[MikeNAustin]

06:23 AM on 10/13/2010

Great reply. This guy's capabilities are limited to cheap, unAmerican slander!

[Anonymous17]

10:33 AM on 10/13/2010

Why thank you, I pointed out Dubya's substance abuse a few hundred posts ago. Its kind of you to bring it up again!

[grolaw]

10:49 PM on 10/12/2010

There is some demand for his presence in the Hague.

[MikeNAustin]

06:24 AM on 10/13/2010

They're looking for you too buddy.

[roninroshi]

08:34 AM on 10/13/2010

And you as well...Shrubs bunk buddy!

[razorbrain]

04:23 PM on 10/13/2010

Okay good sir I gave this due diligence and research. I read all of your comments (295 at the time) and sadly could not find one of substance. I also noted about half (that is 50%) are on this topic alone. You repeatedly use the exact same comments or combinations of the same words. You constantly berate and attackingly insult other users under the guise of calling their comments 'slander'. Slander is a malicious, false or deframatory statement or report. So your ceaseless comments often filled with profane language and insults match 'slander' perfectly. If you want to defend GW have at it Hoss but please do so in a competent manner and leave the grade school playground style things to the professionals (grade school kids). Now before you start you profanity and unAmerican, socailist, ect. Stuff on me I served my country 4 honorable years in this war and have returned to the weeping faces of my fellow service members families that didn't make it back. I also am fortunate enough to have a great job working 7 days a week, I use my GI Bill to also attend college full time and serve on both the fire dept and the VFW. I ask you what have you done to protect, serve or better this country?

[Skeptci]

10:22 PM on 10/12/2010

Bush's got money than he knows what to do with. His favorite food is pretzel which costs a dime a dozen. He's got enough of them for 2000 years.

[Anonymous17]

10:07 PM on 10/12/2010

Midcosmom,

While I respect your opinion... Our country was founded on criticizing those in political power. Our forefathers would never have rebelled against the English Crown had it not been for the criticizing of the Crown and English Parliament. The constant questioning and monitoring of those in authority is needed. Thus constant criticism of those in power is also needed. This in our forefathers time was done by those who were considered the liberal media of their time. Such as Benjamin Franklin. Only then it was done by newspaper print and fast horses. Instead of a internet forum it was done in a tavern over a tankard of ale or in the lantern light of a cabin.

So while I respect your opinion. I ask in all sincerity... where would we be if we did not constantly question and criticize those in power? How would the elected representatives know how we as a people feel if we were quiet? Where would we be today had our ancestors quietly accepted taxation without representation, no freedom of religion, no freedom of the press, no freedom of religion?

The office of the President DOES deserve some deference and dignity. However, the man in the presidency does not always deserve deference and dignity. You can not in all seriousness tell me that every person who undertakes the mammoth responsibility of President, does not expect to be loved or hated by the end of their presidency.

[negogato]

12:21 AM on 10/13/2010

cool.
criticise Bush.
I am waiting.