Bush helps raise money for Republicans on road

By Steve Holland

CINCINNATI (Reuters) – President George W. Bush raised
money for Republican candidates in Indiana and Ohio on Thursday
and the White House said he remained a sought-after draw on his
party’s campaign trail despite Republican gripes at his stand
over a port security issue.

Bush, struggling with a series of setbacks in recent months
and low job approval, was facing anger this week from senior
Republicans over his support for an Arab company’s move to take
over some operations at six major U.S. seaports.

Nevertheless, he was welcomed at fund-raisers in Indiana
and Ohio on Thursday and the White House said requests from
Republican candidates for the president’s to help them get
elected in November mid-term elections were flowing in.

“In fact, we are getting daily requests for the president
to participate in campaign events,” said White House
spokeswoman Dana Perino. “In fact, the supply is not keeping up
with demand.” She had no details.

Bush’s challenge this year is a difficult one: to overcome
weak job approval ratings and help keep Republicans in control
of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Typically
the party of the president loses seats in nonpresidential
election years.

The president himself is struggling to find his footing
this year. The Iraq war and high energy prices, among other
problems, are hurting his popularity.

Last week the flap over Vice President Dick Cheney’s
accidental shooting of a fellow hunter drowned out Bush’s
message. This week, the ports deal is stealing the limelight.

On Thursday, Bush campaigned for the re-election of Indiana
Republican Rep. Chris Chocola, helping raise more than $600,000
at a lunch inside a gymnasium festooned with American flags.

Later, he led an event in Cincinnati for Ohio Republican
Sen. Mike DeWine that was expected to raise $1 million for
DeWine’s attempt to head off a challenge to his re-election
from Ohio Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown.

Democrats mocked Bush’s appearances. Phil Singer, spokesman
for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said over the
last few months, Bush had held public events in several states
that have prominent Senate races this year but that in some
cases the Republican candidates in those states stayed away.

“They like Bush to raise money for them, they just don’t
like his company,” Singer said.

On the roadside near Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana,
where the first event was held, dozens of protesters shouted at
Bush’s motorcade as it drove by, holding up signs that said
“Impeach Bush,” and “U.S. out of Iraq.”

Bush made no mention of the ports deal that would allow a
Dubai company control over some terminals at the U.S. ports.
White House officials said Bush was trying to stay above the
political fray on the issue and by refusing to cave on the
deal, hoping to show he will treat the Middle East fairly.

“Sometimes that means standing up to your own party,” said
a senior official.

(Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick)

(POLITICS-BUSH, editing by David Storey; Reuters Messaging:
steve.holland.reuters.com@reuters.net; +1 202-898-8300, fax +1
202-898-8383))