In 2004, Bush won Arizona by double digits. This year, with Arizonan John McCain leading the Republican ticket, it stands to reason there’d be quite a bit of excitement among the state’s GOP elite.<\/p>\n
And yet, the enthusiasm is surprisingly underwhelming<\/a>. (via Eric Kleefeld<\/a>)<\/p>\n A Tuesday fundraiser headlined by President Bush for U.S. Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign is being moved out of the Phoenix Convention Center.<\/p>\n Sources familiar with the situation said the Bush-McCain event was not selling enough tickets to fill the Convention Center space, and that there were concerns about more anti-war protesters showing up outside the venue than attending the fundraiser inside.<\/p>\n Another source said there were concerns about the media covering the event.<\/p>\n Bush’s Arizona fundraising effort for McCain is being moved to private residences in the Phoenix area.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Tickets for the star-studded show ranged from $1,000 to $25,000 for VIP treatment, all of which would have gone to help McCain’s campaign and other Republican Party organs.<\/p>\n My favorite little tidbit from the Phoenix Business Journal report came at the end: “The McCain campaign referred questions on the fundraiser change to the White House press office.”<\/p>\n In other words, “Don’t blame us; we’re not the one with a 27% approval rating.” With his popularity near all-time lows, President Bush is playing a diminished role so far in the 2008 campaigns.<\/p>\n In the presidential race, he’s trying to keep to the sidelines, hoping to minimize clashes with Democratic front-runner Barack Obama that might damage Republican John McCain.<\/p>\n Even in campaigns for Congress, where White House officials are focusing their political efforts, Mr. Bush’s impact appears to be reduced. Notably, he has raised only $36.6 million for Republican candidates and committees through early May, compared with $66.6 million last year and $131.6 million in 2006, according to Republican National Committee figures.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n
\nAnd this, of course, comes on the heels of reports like this one<\/a>.<\/p>\n