In 2004, Bush won Arizona by double digits. This year, with Arizonan John McCain leading the Republican ticket, it stands to reason there’d be quite a bit of excitement among the state’s GOP elite.

And yet, the enthusiasm is surprisingly underwhelming. (via Eric Kleefeld)

A Tuesday fundraiser headlined by President Bush for U.S. Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign is being moved out of the Phoenix Convention Center.

Sources familiar with the situation said the Bush-McCain event was not selling enough tickets to fill the Convention Center space, and that there were concerns about more anti-war protesters showing up outside the venue than attending the fundraiser inside.

Another source said there were concerns about the media covering the event.

Bush’s Arizona fundraising effort for McCain is being moved to private residences in the Phoenix area.

Tickets for the star-studded show ranged from $1,000 to $25,000 for VIP treatment, all of which would have gone to help McCain’s campaign and other Republican Party organs.

My favorite little tidbit from the Phoenix Business Journal report came at the end: “The McCain campaign referred questions on the fundraiser change to the White House press office.”

In other words, “Don’t blame us; we’re not the one with a 27% approval rating.”