Bush ending role as chief GOP fundraiser

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- President George Bush ended his role as fundraiser-in-chief last week having raised $80 million for Republican candidates, a tally shows.

The figure is about 35 percent less than he raised in 2006, The Washington Post review published Monday indicated.

The Post indicated Bush raised less than $150 million in 2007-08, two-year election cycle compared with the $190 raised in the 2005-06 cycle.

Bush hasn't hosted one public rally for Republican presidential nominee John McCain, who hasn't appeared beside Bush since a handshake photo opportunity in May, the Post said. The Arizona senator also has stepped up his attacks on the Bush administration's policies in the weeks running up to the Nov. 4 general elections.

The White House hasn't spoken about the increasingly sharp criticism lobbed toward the White House, but noted Bush and his wife, Laura, voted for McCain on their mail-in Texas ballots.

A White House aide said Bush is focused on the economy, not fundraising.

"The president will do anything needed to help Republicans win up and down the ticket," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. "This fall, because of the hurricanes and the financial crisis we've had to cancel

many of his political activities."