Why is Bush Involving Himself with the Election?

I am not exactly sure why President George Bush thinks he can tell voters what to do. Even if it is the people at the Conservative Political Action Conference, a group that stands by Bush's political objectives.

However, he did tell potential voters what to do in an attempt to unify the Republican Party. I am not sure how such maligned figure in present-day American Politics can be the subject of unity. Afterall, you're talking about a guy who's political standing is liked by about three-quarters of the population and someone who the left-leaning individuals and organizations have done nothing but attack for quite some time now.

Then there is the fact that Bush's own party has tried to distance themselves from the President. Many of the Republican Presidential nominees that have come and gone have disagreed with Bush's actions with the war, the economy, and other issues of the utmost concern. And it speaks volumes that the most popular Presidential candidate in the party is the one that leans the most to the left and furthest away from the conservative platforms.

That candidate of course is John McCain, who is the Republican frontrunner and the clear nominee for the General Election this fall. We know that and Bush knows that. Which is why he spoke at the CPAC. But just like so many of the other moves throughout his administration, I'm not too sure he thought this one through.

You see, I think Bush is failing to understand that people don't like him. That might be hard for an otherwise affable and whimsical guy to accept, but America's disdain for this President goes far beyond his ability to entertain us. America's disapproval of the President comes from his stances on the war, the economy, global warming, and foreign affairs. On just about all accords, Bush is on the wrong side of the popular sentiment.

And it is not as if McCain is in amongst the popular vote either. While his ability to draw in moderates and independents into his campaign is a sign that he does have some fervor outside of his own party, he too still stands against what the majority of America wants when it comes to the war, foreign affairs, and health care.

Yet in light of all of this, and despite how much America is against the stances of both Bush and McCain, there still lies power in that conservative wing over there. This is why when Bush addressed the CPAC, he was cheered and received a warm applause. The day before, McCain received a mixed applause, which included quite a few boos.

One could say that Bush's backing of McCain would give the Senator a better standing with conservatives that would serve him well in the general election. And while recent history has taught us not to underestimate the power of the right-wing conservatives, their division has to be a sign that the times are a changing! And that perhaps just this once, the party will actually vote in favor of their behalf instead of against it.