President Bush appeared in Baltimore shortly after his Iraq War speech to help raise money for Lt. Gov. Michael Steele's 2006 bid for Maryland's open Senate seat. Twice, Bush called Steele 'Senator Steele.'
Excerpts from the President's remarks inside.
[Photos from Reuters]
From Bush's remarks:
I'm proud to be here to say to the good folks of this important state, Michael Steele is the right man for the United States Senate.
And there's no doubt in my mind he's going to win. People from both political parties are going to realize this man is capable of doing the job; that he'll bring dignity to the office; that he'll help heal racial wounds; that he'll show there's a future for everybody in the state of Maryland.
You mean
healing racial wounds by alleging that his opposition is openly racist and by overstating the Oreo incident? More like manipulating racial wounds.
Ronald Walters, professor of government and political science at the University of Maryland: College Park says those 'racial wounds' are here to stay in Steele's campaign:
"I wouldn't expect his (Steele's) supporters to drop it. It helps level the playing field, makes him a victim, perhaps gets him a sympathy vote from blacks who have had the same experience."
A little over a week ago,
Rasmussen had the following polling results for the open MD Senate seat:
Rep. Ben Cardin(D): 49%(45)
Lt. Gov Michael Steele(R): 41%(40)
Steele(R): 45%(47)
Kweisi Mfume(D): 44%(40)
In SUSA's
latest MD POTUS poll, Bush is at 32% approve-65% disapprove. Only seven states rated Bush less favorably.
Bush goes on to tie Steele to his failing No Child Left Behind policy and his faith-based initiatives. Then, Bush promises victory (perhaps Michael Steele's campaign should just stay the course?):
Michael will come to Washington, D.C. --
and he's coming, by the way -- with a nation that is at war. I wish I could report to you that we're not at war, but we are. And we need members of the United States Senate who understand the reality of the world in which we live.
(snipped the obligatory 9/11-terra shpiel)
And it's going to be important for this important state to have a United States senator who understands the stakes. And Michael Steele understands the duty of protecting the American people. He understands the importance of supporting our troops in harm's way. Anytime we've got a man or woman in uniform in harm's way, he or she deserves the full support of the United States government, and Michael Steele as a senator will do that.
I also look forward to working with Senator Steele when it comes the advancing democracy around the world.
...
And I look forward to working with United States Senator Michael Steele to lay that foundation of peace for generations to come.
What an arrogant son of Barbara Bush.
Contrary to what Ken Mehlman has said, a vote for Steele is a vote for Bush. Please Dubya, don't be a stranger to the Steele campaign. You're doing a heck of a job already.