By Patrick Badgley Daily Texan Staff Relying on his message of unity within government, Gov. George W. Bush on Sunday sent a group of 28 GOP governors on a two-week campaign to pitch Bush's accomplishments and proposals to Americans. The governors will travel to 48 cities in 25 states which have a combined 319 electoral votes. President Bill Clinton won 23 of the 25 states in 1996. Bush complimented the governors who were there to campaign for him Sunday, calling them hard-working and honest. Bush said they have taken important steps to make reforms similar to those he has made in Texas and proposes to make as president.
Some campaigns tend to send out spokespeople.
Each group will also include a Texas Democrat to speak on behalf of Bush's bipartisan efforts, an area that Bush supporters have said isn't one of Democratic nominee Al Gore's strong suits. With fellow governors standing behind them, Bush and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge spoke on the importance of electing a man with a proven record and who will fight for the American people through bipartisanship. Nodding at many of Bush's, Ridge's and vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney's words, other state leaders in attendance at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel Sunday agreed that Gore has not been successful in using bipartisan strategies. New York Gov. George Pataki said Bush's 1998 gubernatorial reelection is a testament to his strong leadership. New Jersey's Christine Todd Whitman, who is pro-choice, said while she and Bush disagree on abortion rights, she trusts he won't use potential new Supreme Court Justices' stances on Roe v. Wade as a litmus test for appointments.