The Republican party is already tremendously unpopular - even among Republicans. Part of the reason is how the GOP conducted itself during the 8 years of Bush's presidency. The GOP has been trying to repair that damage for 2 years now. Anytime Bush worms his way into the spotlight it reminds people of just how much they came to dislike Bush and the Republican Party. There is a reason Bush can literally campaign nowhere - not for any Republicans at all. Think about that, he is so unpopular he can't make ANY campaign stops for fear of being in the news and reminding votes how much they dislike him and almost anything associated with him.
Bush needs to stay in a bunker somewhere till we can recover from all the damage his did to the Republican brand.
Good point. NOBODY wants Bush to campaign for them. That tells it all. Compare that to Clinton who is coveted on the campaign trail.
What kind of thought process do you envision here? "I really hate what Obama and the Dem congress have done over the last two years and they need to be thrown out. But that Bush excerpt... hmmmmm... I totally forgot all about that guy who was president. Now I'm going to vote for my crappy ass Democratic congressman!"
Sorry, but I just don't see it.
And Bush may not be campaigning because, before Carter and Clinton destroyed it, there was a certain nobility to being an ex-president who had his turn and was now stepping aside to let history proceed without him.
Personally, I'm glad he's not following the Carter/Clinton model.