Addressing assertions that Democrats will dominate the November elections, President Bush on Friday predicted Republicans will win more races than expected.
“I’m looking forward to these elections — I think you’ll be surprised,” Bush told reporters at a news conference in Chicago.
“We will hold the House and the Senate.”
Without naming any Democratic candidates, Bush suggested they will lose because — in his view — they lack the sort of strong agenda embraced by Republicans.
“Here’s how you win elections,” he said.
“You win elections by believing 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 said that Republicans “prefer you [Bush] 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,” he said.
The fundraiser Bush attended netted $1.1 million for Topinka’s campaign.
