Staying away, or apart from, the race because of perceived voter displeasure will not help the eventual candidate any more than Clinton’s absence helped Gore.
You're right, that would be nice, but I don't see that as being on GWB's agenda. Even if he doesn't care, he should have supported the 2nd amendment as a fundamental right on the merits.
“My point is that the President still has every opportunity to do things to help in 08”
You must not have heard about the Real ID Act’s (or as I call it, The Democrat Politician Full Employment Act), partial implementation on May 11.
As of May 11, if your State doesn’t agree to a national driver’s license, you will not be able to get onto an airplane or enter a Federal building without your passport. The resulting fury will guarantee no Republican can get elected to anything.
Put the 2nd Amendment position on top of the Real Id Act and what other interpretation can you get: The President is doing everything he can to get a Democrat elected to every office from President to Dog Catcher.