McCain Requests Bush to Back Off

John McCain has requested that President Bush scale back his plans to attend and speak at McCain campaign events. Mr. Bush had offered to campaign heavily for McCain once it was clear that the Arizona Senator had won enough delegates to the GOP Convention to secure the nomination.

But even then, McCain appeared hesitant to have Bush campaigning heavily on his behalf, stating that he would be pleased for the President to speak at campaign events 'if he can fit it into his busy schedule.'

Most observers believe that the statement was a nice way for McCain to let the President know that he did not think Bush's full involvement in the campaign was such a good idea.

Yesterday, however, the McCain camp requested that the President scale back plans to speak at the events on which the two had already agreed. The reason is not far to find. Bush has become one of the most unpopular Presidents in U.S. history, and McCain fears a misconception that the two are close allies.

The President has already done significant damage to the 'Republican brand,' and there is a distinct danger that he could drag McCain down as well. McCain's advantage is that he has not hesitated to break ranks with the President and other Republicans on a number of issues.

And it is not to be forgotten that during the race for the 2000 GOP Presidential nomination, Bush and McCain were bitter rivals. In spite of mended fences since that time, McCain has never been viewed as a foot-soldier for the President in the Senate.

Bush would do well to leave well enough alone and back off from interjecting himself too much into McCain's bid for the White House. He may do him more harm than good.