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As Election Looms, Bush Is Nowhere in Sight

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 1, 2008 12:46 PM CDT

(Newser) – George W. Bush is purposefully avoiding the public eye ahead of the election to do no further damage to GOP candidates, the New York Times reports. Presidents usually make a visible show of support for their party near Election Day, but presidents usually don't have approval ratings as low as this one's. He's had to be downright furtive. "Now the best thing is silence," said one Republican strategist.

Bush made an unpublicized visit to the Republican National Committee to thank staffers for 8 years of support. And in four public appearances this week, the president was on camera for just 11 minutes. The move may be inspired by general GOP feeling that Bush’s numerous public addresses on the economic crisis soured voters on the party. In contrast, Laura Bush is still out on the trail.

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U.S. President George W. Bush walks along the fence at the G8 summit. (AP Photo)

President Bush in a public address. (AP Photo)

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One of McCain’s biggest challenges has been how to deal with Bush, and he never quite got it right. Now, the best thing is silence. - Scott Reed, Republican strategist

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