Bush: 'Liberals' v 'clear conservative'

by Mark Silva

George is calling for money.

President Bush's public approval ratings may be buried in the Gallup Poll's basement, but the soon-retiring Republican president still has pull with his party's purse-strings.

And, in a fundraising e-appeal to Republicans, the president is citing both his party's unflinching "ideals'' and the "focus-group''-free determination of the party's presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, as cause for optimism in a general election campaign in which Democratic Sen. Barack Obama has gained an early advantage.

Not to mention those "Liberal'' Democrats not standing up for national security and freedom from taxation. And despite what those unhappy conservatives within the Republican Party say about McCain, the compassionate conservative-in-chief maintains that McCain "is running on a clear, consistent and conservative agenda.

"There is no question in my mind, with your help, the Republican Party can win this election if our candidates are true to our principles, boldly share the GOP agenda with the American people and are confident in contrasting our hopeful and optimistic philosophy with the Liberal vision of the other party,'' the president writes in his fundraising email today.

"The reason that I am confident about Republican success is because when the American people look at our ideals versus the ideals of the Democrats, the people are with us. Our ideas and values are those embraced by the American people. They may not be the ones who the pundits listen to, but they are the ones who are out working every single day to make America a great and hopeful place.''

Bush, who won reelection four years ago on a tough national security platform and appeal to Christian conservatives, says: "The American people want strong national defense and they want the government to protect them from further attack . . . they want lower taxes and less government . . . they want strong, principled leadership . . . and that is precisely what Republicans will give them.

"I am also optimistic about this year because of John McCain and our candidates at all levels. Our nominee is a man who will make decisions based upon sound principles, not based on the latest focus group or political poll. He has the wisdom and the experience necessary to be the Commander-in-Chief of our United States military forces..

"Our presidential nominee is running on a clear, consistent and conservative agenda and I can assure you he does not want a lonely victory.''

Bush seeks any denomination of support for the RNC in this missive: $2,000, $500, $100, $50 or $25. "I am looking forward to the campaign ahead,'' says Bush, who already has launched some personal fundraising appeals in appearances for his party and plans many more. "I am excited about taking our message to the American people. With your help and hard work, there is no doubt in my mind that we will win.''