April 6, 2006:
Topinka says Karl Rove urged her to run, hoping to offset in Illinois a probable gubernatorial loss in New York. Would she like President Bush to campaign for her? An aide says not exactly: "We just want him to raise money." Topinka does not demur as the aide adds: "Late at night." Pause. "In an undisclosed location."
Today:
A local reporter asked the president what he thought of some Republican candidates keeping their distance this election year because of his low poll numbers. The reporter cited a comment from an aide to Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, who reportedly had said Bush would be welcome only in the middle of the night.
"It didn't work," Mr. Bush laughed, noting he was going straight from the news conference to a lunchtime fund-raiser for Topinka, the state's treasurer who is running to unseat Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
The event was drawing about 500 people and was expected to add a hefty $1.1 million-plus to Topinka's campaign account. "I was invited, I gladly came and I think we're going to have a pretty successful fundraiser for her," Mr. Bush said
Blago is already running ads tying Topinka to Bush. Those ads should have added salience now that Bush claims he was invited to campaign with her.