Ex-presidents hit the campaign trail for last-ditch pitches
By Bob Ortega
The campaign trail has gone from the halls of Congress to out back.
This year more than any other, candidates and operatives are racing up the country for last-minute campaigns.
Former presidents, including George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, are hitting the campaign trail for last-minute pitches for their old party, and for themselves.
Former President Jimmy Carter is out raising money for his Democratic Party. So is former President and presidential candidate Bill Clinton.
A third former president, George H. W. Bush, is making his first run for public office. Running late and trying to raise money is not an option. Instead, a spokesman said the former president would use his first book — “Dreams From My Father” — to raise money for the Republican Party.
“He’s not interested in being President of the United States,” said Gary Bauer, president of the Christian Coalition, a group that is trying to raise money for his presidential bid.
Bauer has been trying to raise money for his presidential campaign with a series of dinners and public appearances. “It’s a little more complicated than just saying to people, ‘Come vote for me,’ ” he said.
But he said he does not have a campaign.
“I’m not interested in spending my time getting my name out to try to find people to vote for me. I’m trying to raise money to raise money for our candidates who have a shot at the presidency,” he said.
The biggest fundraising events are not for the presidential campaign, but are for other candidates.
Former President George H. W. Bush, center, is out raising money for his presidential bid Friday in New York Beach, New York. (AP)
For example, former President George H. W. Bush, center, is out raising money for his presidential bid Friday in New York Beach, New York. (AP)
The former president is out raising money for his presidential bid Friday in New York Beach, New York. (AP)
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