WASHINGTON (CNN) - Only one thing breaks the sound of silence at the White House today – the pounding of hammers outside the north fence as workers construct the inaugural parade grandstand.
President Bush, for the fifth day in a row, has no public events on his schedule. Even the daily White House briefing has been cancelled for Tuesday.
Mr. Bush and First Lady Laura cast their ballots for John McCain via absentee ballot on October 24th. In every preceding election, the President voted in person at the polls in Crawford, Texas.
Related: Bush absent from the campaign trail
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino says President Bush plans to stay at the White House tonight and watch election returns come in with family and friends, while celebrating Laura Bush's 62nd birthday.
At the White House briefing Monday, Perino commented not only on the president's absence from the campaign trail – but from the ballot.
"It's the first time in 14 years that President Bush hasn't been on the ballot," said Perino. "And that's a different role for him than in the past."
Regarding President Bush's dropping out of sight this week, Perino explained, "Look, we are realistic about the political environment that we are in. The Republican Party wanted to make this election about John McCain, and that's appropriate."
Perino blamed the President's low 28 percent approval ratings in part on unpopular actions he's taken like proposing the 700 billion dollar financial rescue plan.
"And often when you do big things and you make tough decisions, they're not popular. President Bush understands that," said Perino. "When he goes home to Texas, President Bush will be able to look in the mirror and know that he was true to his values and true to his principles. And that's what keeps him going."
From CNN Politics
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and well he should – I mean what could he say?? oops sorry about that?? – real CHANGE – YES WE CAN – OBAMA/BIDEN 2008
WORST president EVER!
Don't let the door hitcha Bush!
Don't get complaicent out west VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!!!!!
Don't forget the crimes of 2000
Jughead and Mr. Weatherbee are hiding. Does that mean when they come out we have 8 years of Obama? Let's hope so!
if you have problems voting, call DNC or democracy now.
surely someone will post phone numbers for DNC and other trustworthy places,
NOT CNN.
Did we have a president?
Mr. Bush, Cheney, & Rove should all "be heading home" to their rightfull home: Federal Prison
Throw the crooks out!!
Throw them in jail!!!
Voter fraud can't stop the momentum of TRUTH!
Perino's head is spinning around because she lies so much. No matter what she may say on behalf of her boss the fact still remains GWB lied to our country and our military families. We charge GWB for the economic crisis and a complete failure to lead our country. We shall never forget and we don't need John McCain to take us down the same path.
It will be interesting to hear the song you are singing in about a year, when the real Hussein Obama has been revealed.
I am so happy that it's over for that man, maybe now we can gain some of the respect that we lost in the world over the last eight years back. VOTE OBAMA!
He's knocking off another item on his bucket list: finding out how "My Pet Goat" ended.
He's now scared of cameras. With the worst rating in history, you would wish you remained in your mother's womb. I blame Nancy Pulossi for not impitching him.
The caption on this picture should say that Bush has been missing in action for 8 years!!!
What a scumbag. If there's anything to karma, he's screwed.
I agree with Millie who said, "Too bad he didn't stay away for the past 8 years." He is a shame to this country and I hope he disappears totally after January 20th.
On second thought, I hope he and Cheney are brought up on charges of corruption and of subverting the Constitution. I lived through Nixon and thought he was horrible. Well, compared to Bush and Cheney, Nixon was a saint.
Ellen
Well, its for the best. Just the sight of the absent one reminds of a very scary, horror movie.
VOTED FOR OBAMA IN VIRGINIA THIS MORNING (in the rain)!
The saddest thing about Bush's performance is that we got the President we desirved. Bush did not make this mess by himself . Remember that the next time you see a W on the back of a SUV
Double baco cheese. It's for a former President.
Bush has created a bad name for the rest of his family and the america as a whole. I DONT SEE ANY BUSHES ever in any official postion any time soon. F**k bush.
Egads. McCain is even OLDER and more incapable than Bush. Seeing them side-by-side in that photo really shows their age. There is no way a 72-year old man knows what a modern world needs – or what modern problems are. Let alone a man whose wife is worth what, $400 million? Luckily McCain will have plenty of time to sip lemonade on one of his seven front porches.
Racial/religious bigotry and poor white trash is going out of fashion in the United States of America.
Bush..no way no how
The worst president of my 49 years and I almost voted for him once but nope, not my fault. There was much I hoped for from him but he FAILED!!!!! miserably.
There have been some comments on here that portray Canadas Universal health care system does not work.As a Canadian I can tell you that is not true at all.We have a very decent health care system run by the government and we choose which Doctors we see and for the most part it runs quite well.I can't imagine not having this type of health care system. In no way am I saying it is perfect but to say it does not work is simply not true.The Republicans want to scare you and tekk you this,which is just one of the many lies they like to spew.
Go Obama !!! For the sake of all Go Obama !!
No matter what happens in election, I am sure Obama will win lanslide. BUT, The way they have portrayed the current president at international level, this is a loss to united states of America. While we are fighting two wars and with economic meltdown, the way Democrats and republicans showed their enimity to policies of George Bush, This shows us a weak country. Never forget, We were and are secure till date because of Bush's aggrasiveness and eager to engage the enemy at their home. Never forget it was bush who brought this economy to upper level and everyone cashed in and then when it started going down because of lack of policies of the the big wall street firms, it was blamed on Bush.
You can blame as much as you can to President Bush but History will show that he was right to engage the terrorists on their home battle.
I just Hope that country comes back together at a time of crisis instead of bitterness and enimity among political parties.