President Bush on Friday predicted that Republicans will win more races in the November elections than expected.
“I’m looking forward to these elections — I think you’ll be surprised,” Bush told reporters at a press conference in Chicago. “We will hold the House and the Senate.”
Without actually naming any Democrats, Bush suggested they will lose because they lack the sort of strong agenda embraced by Republicans.
“Here’s how you win elections,” he said. “You win elections by believing in something. You win elections by having a plan to protect the American people from terrorist attacks. You win elections by having a philosophy that has actually produced results.”
As examples, he cited strong economic growth, education reform and a prescription drug benefit for senior citizens.
A reporter asked Bush whether “your presence may actually harm Republican candidates when you come out to campaign for them.” The journalist said an aide to Illinois GOP gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka had cracked that Republicans “prefer you to come here in the middle of the night.”
Bush said he was “not offended” by the remark, which “didn’t work” in keeping him away from a fundraising lunch for Topinka after the press conference.
“I was invited, I gladly came, and I think we’re going to have apretty successful fundraiser for her,” the president said.
Bush’s presence at the fundraiser netted $1.1 million for Topinka’s campaign.
