Bush knows this is an issue that could split his base. It would also focus the election more on the economy, and away from national defense - the opposite of his campaign strategy. The politics here have nothing to do with Bush's opinion about offshoring. It all about next year's campaign. This is an issue he doesn't want anyone talking about. He wants it on the back burner at least until the election is over. So he wants to maintain the status quo and move on to other issues.Bush is a fool. Odds are that some Democrat will seize this issue (as Christopher Dodd is already starting to) and win the election with a broad base of middle class support.