There is one thing that George Bush has been very successful at -- regardless of his approval ratings -- and that is fundraising for Republican groups and candidates.
But when he travels, commerce in the area suffers.
I was in Chicago on business yesterday and while trying to catch my return flight, I noticed that United had cancelled nearly 20 flights that afternoon.
Reason for the cancellations? Bush was in Chicago for Hastert yesterday. This is a common occurence!
Other airlines had cancelled and delayed flights as well both into and out of O'Hare. That of course has a domino effect on other flights arriving and departing at other airports across the country.
My flight was delayed for 2 hours. My clients had flights cancelled and scrambled to find alternatives that would get them anywhere closer to home. Most had to hang out in the airport for hours to catch later flights -- many of those delayed as well.
Roadways are closed for miles around his caravan. Airports are closed and flights cancelled and delayed.
That leaves thousands of people unable to get to their destinations.
* Truckers cannot deliver their goods.
* Workers can't get through the roadblocks to get to their jobs.
* Salesman can't get to meetings to promote their products. * Suppliers can't get supplies to manufacturers.
* Manufacturers who rely on "just in time" supply chains suffer interuptions in their assembly lines.
* Business men and women get stranded and can't get back to their offices to be productive.
* Families can't get to their vacation destinations and spend their tourist dollars.
The impact his travel has on the local economy is enormous. And for what? So he can raise millions to get one of his crony's elected?
Bush has been one of the most active Presidents in terms of fundraising. He travels extensively to get to all these fundraisers.
(Allegedly there are campaign funds to cover the portion of the costs that are related to campaigning while taxpayers pay whatever portion the WH says is related to important business.)
But I want to know how much money is lost due to the interruptions he causes in normal commerce. Maybe some major businesses wouldn't be so willing to throw in millions in campaign contributions if they knew their company just lost a few million by not being able to manufacture or get their products to market.