On a cold, gray morning a week before Election Day, President Bush briefly emerged from the White House for an unannounced visit to the headquarters of the Republican National Committee in Southeast Washington.

Outside the RNC building, Bush continued to face record-low approval ratings and a presidential campaign focused on his failings. But inside an overflowing conference room, he was greeted with roaring applause as he urged his fellow Republicans to keep pushing for the finish line.
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“Everybody kind of wanted to spend the last 100-plus days doing some legacy things, and the financial crisis has thrown a wrench into that,” said one prominent Republican who regularly talks with senior White House officials.

“You have a combination of no legacy stuff, a horrible economic mess and the likelihood that Obama is going to win,” this person added. “There is a real sadness there.”

REPUBLICAN PARTY MEMO (WHITE HOUSE CIRCULATION ONLY)

Ideas on how to spend about one-third of a year doing some legacy things for our out-going President, George W. Bush.

1. Take a trip to Florida. Stay with Jeb. Take a low-key motorcade into predominantly black areas. Steal some stuff (things to steal: the concepts of enfranchisement, democracy and eight yeas of history?). Action: Impossible. Darn finance meltdown thing too much of an obstacle. Also, can you steal a concept? Maybe.

2. Throw a party. Don’t invite: Kofi Annan, the French. Do invite: Hans Blix (ignore, tee hee!), Wall Street bankers (get them drunk), G.B Snr. Food ideas – no broccoli or pretzels.

3. Commission an aquatic-based, memorial theme park in New Orleans named W.aterW.orld. Have a ride called ‘waterboarding’. Action: No action, naturally.

4. Release one prisoner per month from Guantanamo, like Emperor Pontius Pilate does for Passover in Life of Brian. Pros: Makes G.W.B look like Roman Emperor. Cons: Could upset Christian Right.

5. Get 700 Billion out of Federal Reserve. Buy film-making equipment. Produce feature called ‘How I Jizzed Up Lots of Cash On My Buddies’. (Note: must stop Tony trying to suck off G.W.B again. Too risky with so many cameras around.)

Tags: politics, barack obama, george w. bush, republicans, financial crisis, legacy stuff