G.O.P. Not Relying on Aid From Bush in ’02 Elections. ‘Despite President Bush’s

colossal job approval ratings, many Republicans who are

running in the midterm elections next year say they do not expect

him, even if he remains enormously popular, to help their own

campaigns.

If anything, some Republican lawmakers and strategists fear that

the war and Mr. Bush’s desire to appear bipartisan could prevent

him from doing much to benefit them next year. And they are

worried that the sagging economy — underscored by the surge

in unemployment announced this week — could eclipse the war

as a political issue and that voters could blame the Republicans.’ NY Times [“FMHreader”, “FMHreader”]