June 29, 2006
President Persona Non Grata?
President Bush got a much-needed reminder Tuesday that some folks do still like him, writes John Mercruio. Some Republicans, at least.
Armed with a strong endorsement from Bush, Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, sailed to a surprisingly big primary win against John Jacob, a wealthy businessman who opposes the Bush-Cannon plan on illegal immigration. Jacob, who had previously blamed his campaign woes on the devil, said his defeat was Bush's fault; He said he couldn't overcome Bush's popularity. Those aren't words Bush hears too often these days. And in a district Bush carried 3-to-1 in 2004, Cannon's 14-point margin against a flawed candidate, while solid, is hardly reassuring. Indeed, Republicans this week are wrapping up their best month in months, enjoying good news on Iraq, ethics, immigration reform, the CIA leak investigation and, well, Iraq. But that doesn't mean they're ready to embrace a president whose poll numbers continue to hover below 40 percent. Indeed, four months before a midterm election that still stirs deep anxiety within GOP ranks, the question for many is no longer whether they'll distance themselves from Bush. It's how aggressively, and how far.
Posted at 12:47 PM
Comments
Post a comment
The Watergate · 600 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-739-8400 · fax 202-833-8069
NationalJournal.com is an Atlantic Media publication.
