It’s true: one of the Democratic party’s top Senate recruits is actively associating herself with George H. W. Bush and his son on the campaign trail.
Georgia’s Michelle Nunn — the presumptive Democratic nominee hoping to snatch an open seat in the deep-red state — has so far touted her ties to the Bushes in two ads and in her official biography on her campaign website.
In a new ad called “Point Guard” posted online Sunday, Nunn speaks to the camera and proudly declares, “I went on to become CEO of President Bush’s Points of Life Foundation” — referring to the nonprofit volunteer service organization inspired by the elder Bush’s 1989 inaugural address. (Nunn is currently on leave while she runs for Senate.)
It’s the second ad by Nunn where she touts Bush and the organization. In her first TV ad early April, titled “Optimistic,” she said, “While leading President Bush’s Points of Light Foundation, we grew it into the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service.”
And in the “about” section of her official campaign website, Nunn name-checks George H. W. Bush and his son, George W. Bush — for years the Democrats’ politically enemy No. 1, before and after he left office in 2009.
“In 2007, Hands On Network merged with the Points of Light Foundation, President George H.W. Bush’s organization and legacy. After leading a successful merger, Michelle became the CEO and President of Points of Light,” the biography reads. Toward the end it adds: “President George W. Bush appointed Michelle to serve on the National Council on Service and Civic Engagement.”
Is it awkward for national Democrats that one of their top candidates is favorably touting the Republican political dynasty that liberals detest? It turns out they don’t mind.
“Michelle Nunn is someone who puts her state before her party and highlighting her working relationship with former President Bush is a perfect way to illustrate that in a red state,” said a Senate Democratic campaign aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “She’s the only candidate [touting Bush] because she’s the only one who has worked so closely with him.”
