CBS’s Plante: Why Isn’t Bush Campaigning for McCain? Oh Wait, He’s Unpopular

In a segment that seemed obnoxiously coy, on Wednesday’s CBS Early Show, correspondent Bill Plante wondered: "...the president has not been out on the campaign trail for Senator McCain, something he offered to do when McCain locked up the nomination in March. So what's up?" Plante later explained: "His press secretary says Mr. Bush has had a lot on his plate the last few months." He then played a clip of himself pestering White House Press Secretary Dana Perino: "So he's been too busy to campaign?" Perino slapped down the question: "I didn't say that. You heard exactly what I said. I know what you're getting at, but I'm not going to play."

Plante finally discovered the reason for Bush’s absence on the campaign trail: "In fact, Senator McCain has gone out of his way to distance himself from the president because Mr. Bush's approval rating hovers around 24%." Plante compared that to Bill Clinton’s popularity at the end of his presidency and even seemed to brag: "Eight years ago, President Clinton, despite his impeachment, had a 61% approval rating. He campaigned for Al Gore and thought Gore should have asked him to do even more."

Here is the full transcript of the segment:

7:11AM SEGMENT:

HARRY SMITH: Alright, one person who seems to be noticeably missing from the campaign trail this election, President Bush. CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante joins us with more on that. Morning, Bill.

BILL PLANTE: Morning, Harry. We know that the president would like to have another Republican moving in here when he moves out in three months. But the president has not been out on the campaign trail for Senator McCain, something he offered to do when McCain locked up the nomination in March. So what's up?

GEORGE W. BUSH: And if he wants my pretty face standing by his side at one of these rallies, I'll be glad to show up.

PLANTE: At the time, McCain seemed to think that was a fine idea.

JOHN MCCAIN: I hope that he'll campaign for me as much as in keeping with his busy schedule.

PLANTE: But other than this one fund-raising trip to Phoenix, the president has been a no-show. His press secretary says Mr. Bush has had a lot on his plate the last few months.

[CLIP OF WHITE HOUSE PRESS BRIEFING]

DANA PERINO: We've had a tremendous amount of issues hit this country, including Russia invading Georgia, you had two major hurricanes, and also this financial crisis and the president has been fully focused on it.

PLANTE: So he's been too busy to campaign?

PERINO: I didn't say that. You heard exactly what I said. I know what you're getting at, but I'm not going to play.

PLANTE: In fact, Senator McCain has gone out of his way to distance himself from the president because Mr. Bush's approval rating hovers around 24%.

[CLIP OF MCCAIN AD]

MCCAIN: The last eight years haven't worked very well, have they? I'll make the next four better.

PLANTE: Eight years ago, President Clinton, despite his impeachment, had a 61% approval rating. He campaigned for Al Gore and thought Gore should have asked him to do even more. But this year, says Republican strategist Vin Webber, John McCain was smart to keep his distance.

VIN WEBBER: I think that he had to do that. I mean, the country very clearly does not want to see quote 'the third Bush term.'

PLANTE: There is one thing at which the president is still very effective, and that is getting Republicans to open their wallets. Last night, he did a million dollar fundraiser here in Washington for the Republican Senatorial Committee, but we're told that is his last political appearance before the election. Harry.

SMITH: Bill Plante at the White House this morning, thanks.

[CLIP OF EARLY SHOW ANNOUNCER]

UNIDENTIFIED MAN B: Tomorrow, a lot happens Early, when Barack Obama goes one-on-one with Harry Smith on the questions you want answered before election day. The Early Show tomorrow.

SMITH: Can I bring those drums and all that music with me?

RODRIGUEZ: Yeah, he'll like that. Where are you going to talk to him?

SMITH: In Virginia, we're going to see him in Richmond a little -- just in a couple of hours, as a matter of fact.

RODRIGUEZ: Wonderful.