Bush will fly to Oregon and Washington today
SM AIRPORT — More than 500 people gathered in a hangar here Thursday evening for a Republican Party fundraiser that officials said netted $3 million.
Guests paid up to $25,000 apiece to nosh on roast beef filet and grilled asparagus, and hear from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, first lady Laura Bush and President George W. Bush.
Backed by 12 American flags and dressed in a dark blue suit, Bush told supporters he would spend the next four years working to improve public schools, fix an ailing healthcare system, reform medical liability, encourage new business growth and fight terrorism.
“There’s a lot of talk in Washington, but this administration, like Arnold Schwarzenegger in California, is getting things done,” said Bush, who concludes his 12th visit to California as president this morning, flying on to Portland, Ore., Seattle, Wash., and Sioux City, Idaho, before returning to the capital.
Bush spent the bulk of his 30-minute address discussing the role of the United States in the Middle East and pointing out inconsistencies in Sen. John Kerry’s voting record. He also discussed military efforts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya and Iraq, saying force was used as a last resort.
Without a diligent approach to foreign policy, America will drift toward tragedy, Bush said.
“That isn’t going to happen on my watch,” he added, to booming applause. “After September 11, America must deal with threats before they fully materialize...
“We don’t create terrorists by fighting back. We defeat the terrorists by fighting back.”
Gov. Schwarzenegger, who has in the past distanced himself from Bush’s campaign, said he was honored to salute a great president who has improved California and the nation. He told Bush he was working hard on his behalf, campaigning for support from California Republicans, bodybuilders and even “girlie men” for Bush/Cheney, referring to a joke he made about state legislators stalling approval of the budget.
He also told Bush that although he had to debate with a Kennedy-backed democrat regularly on the campaign trail, refer-ring to Kerry, he had to debate with one each morning over breakfast. Maria Shriver, Gov. Schwarzenegger’s wife, is John F. Kennedy Jr.’s niece.
Bush, who took the stage to chants of “four more years,” responded in kind, going over the many commonalties he shares with Gov. Schwarzenegger.
“We both married above ourselves. We both have trouble with the English language. We both have big biceps — well, two out of three ain’t bad,” Bush said to laughter.
Bush told supporters he would campaign tirelessly in California, saying the state’s important electoral votes, which traditionally have gone to Democrats, were not a foregone conclusion.
“Nobody should take this state for granted in 2004,” he said.
“Nobody should take this state for granted in 2004.”
Members of the national and international press on hand to cover the event were kept in a separate airplane hangar during the beginning of the event, while campaign organizers snapped photos with Bush and some 1,000 protesters marched outside on Ocean Park Boulevard and 31st Street. After dinner was served, members of the press were ushered between hangars 12 and 13, past a cocktail area and a VVIP lounge — for the very, very important people — and into the event.
Money raised will go to the Republican National Committee. Bush stopped fundraising for the Bush/Cheney 2004 team in April, after he exceeded his stated goal of raising $170 million by more than $50 million, said Scott Stanzel, press secretary for the reelection campaign.
“The president is turning his attention to Republican candidates and Republican committees throughout the country,” Stanzel added. “It’s part of his effort to ensure that he doesn’t have a lonely victory.”
Still, Bush told supporters he was impressed by early interest in his campaign.
“I’ll tell you what I’m seeing,” said Bush, who traveled through the South ear-lier this week. “The crowds are big, the enthusiasm is high — we’re going to win in November.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 13, 2004. Read the original PDF.