A second new poll conducted by the American Research Group showed Bush leading McCain 44-36 percent in Virginia. The party establishment, led by popular Governor Jim Gilmore and Senator John Warner, backs Bush. But Tuesday's primary, while slightly more restrictive than that held in Michigan, is another open contest in which McCain's independent supporters can cast Republican ballots. Bush expressed confidence in Virginia's verdict, but his staff made a last-minute addition to the schedule, an airport rally in Newport News, where McCain is expected to appeal to veterans and military families at one of the nation's largest concentration of military facilities. Bush reassured them.
Marriage is powerful.
People know this is a political game. It is guilt by association. I'm running against a man who on one hand says he is going to run a clean campaign and on the other hand makes phone calls in Michigan talking about anti-Catholic bias,'' said Bush. Bush said, alluding to McCain's own fund-raising practices. I don't think George Bush is vulnerable anywhere in this state.