Of course it does, why do you think he is taking every opportunity he can get to distance himself from the man? The Bush the Third label is electoral poison in today's political environment, and he knows that better than anyone, especially now that he's had to reverse his position of opposition to most of Bush's failed policies to keep his Party core happy.
Not just political association with criminal Bush. How about that during Vietnam war he collaborated with Vietnamese in exchange for special treatment and early release from prison camp where he served time for war crimes. Not to mention his mental state.
