October 21, 2005

ABC News

Bush Visit Annoys Calif. GOP at FundraiserBush Flies to California for Fundraiser, Where GOP Criticizes Him for Poorly Timed Visit
President Bush boards Air Force One for an overnight trip to California, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005. Bush will attend the opening of the $31 million Air Force One Pavilion at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. tomorrow. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Oct 20, 2005 — President Bush flew cross-country to help dedicate a new Air Force One exhibit at the Ronald Reagan presidential library, but his appearance at a GOP fundraiser while he was here irked top California Republicans.

They said Bush's appearance Thursday night at a $1 million Republican National Committee fundraiser was poorly timed because of the upcoming Nov. 8 special gubernatorial election.

"Unless President Bush is coming to California to hand over a check from the federal government to help us with the financial challenges we face, the visit seems ill-timed," said Karen Hanretty, a spokeswoman for the state Republican Party.


Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is trying to court independents and Democrats two voter blocs that typically haven't supported Bush.

The governor's campaign expressed disappointment that Bush would travel to the state to raise money just two and a half weeks before the special election.

During a campaign stop Wednesday in Anaheim, Schwarzenegger addressed why he was passing on the opportunity to sit with Bush.

"We're in high gear right now for our campaign," he said. "So of course, right now, it's all about paying attention to that. So this is why I couldn't really accept the invitation to be part of the ceremony at the Reagan Library out there."

But he also said he was not happy that the president was coming to California so close to the November election to raise money for the Republican National Committee. To date, Schwarzenegger has yet to reach his $50 million fundraising goal to promote his ballot initiatives.

"I've met with the president several times in the past. We've worked together, and we have a good working relationship," Schwarzenegger said, adding, "… We would have appreciated it if he had done his fundraising after Nov. 8."

Leading California Democrats on Thursday asked Schwarzenegger to break from his special election campaign long enough to meet with Bush. Democrats criticized the governor's decision, saying Schwarzenegger is putting politics ahead of the needs of the state.