Bush Campaigns for GOP in Indiana, Ohio [View All]

[RedEarth]

MISHAWAKA, Ind. (AP) - President Bush tried to give a lift to two loyal Republicans in re-election fights Thursday, and the White House said GOP candidates elsewhere were clamoring for his help despite his low poll ratings.

On a day when Bush faced open rebellion from leading Republicans as well as Democrats for his administration's approval of a United Arab Emirates company's takeover of significant U.S. port operations, the president flew here to raise over $600,000 for Rep. Chris Chocola, R-Ind. While not in serious jeopardy for re-election in this fall's congressional elections, Chocola is considered by analysts to be more vulnerable than two years ago.

Later, Bush went to Cincinnati to help scoop up more Republican campaign cash, an expected $1 million or more on behalf of Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, who is in a toss-up re-election race with Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown. The trip was planned well before the ports deal controversy erupted. But it provided some timely pictures of Bush surrounded by adoring supporters.


Chocola, who flew with Bush on Air Force One from Washington to Indiana, was clearly glad to collect a picture coveted by many candidates - a photo of him pausing at the top of the majestic plane's jetway alongside the president. Later, at the lunch attended by about 600 people at Bethel College Indiana, an evangelical Christian school, the president was repeatedly applauded.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060223/D8FV4DJG1.html