Pay as You Go

In today's New York Times there are two stories about campaigning.

One is of Mr. Cheney raising money because the base still loves him and the other one is about Mr. Bush having a group of conservative talk radio personalities into the Oval Office for a meeting.

The meeting, which was not announced on the president's public schedule, was part of an intensive Republican Party campaign to reclaim and re-energize a crucial army of supporters that is not as likely to walk in lockstep with the White House as it has in the past.

Isn't that great. You know, if the man was willing to work a 40 hour week I would allow him the time to campaign after hours. But why should I pay his salary to fire up the conservative base? I would think that between the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan and the North Koreans going nuclear there would be more important things for Mr. Bush to focus on. Why should I pay to fly Cheney around the country to campaign against my beliefs?

Then you have Tony Snow and the cabinet making the rounds. Who pays for this? Does the Republican Party pick up the tab?

Is the President the leader of the entire country or just the base that still likes him?