Laura Bush Raises Funds for Del. Valley GOP Candidates
While her husband was in Iraq, first lady Laura Bush was in the Philadelphia area for some political fundraisers.
Mrs. Bush's announcement that President Bush was in Iraq caught some of the crowd in Villanova by surprise.
"I don't know how many of you have your Blackberries on, but if you haven't heard, the president is in Iraq. Right now."
A gasp went through the crowd, then applause, as apparently this was news to many of the several hundred people gathered at the Appleford Estate in Villanova for a Rick Santorum fundraiser, featuring the first lady.
She praised Senator Santorum (at right in photo) for standing with President Bush on Iraq and taxes, but she returned to Mr. Bush's travels:
"I'm thrilled and I'm proud of my husband."
First lady Laura Bush to speak at Kean fundraiser
The Associated Press
LAKEWOOD, N.J. - First lady Laura Bush was to campaign Tuesday on behalf of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tom Kean Jr. by appearing at a fundraiser aimed at bolstering his run against Democratic incumbent Robert Menendez.
President Bush's wife was to deliver a 10- to 15-minute speech to about 400 people in a 5 p.m. appearance at the law offices of longtime GOP fundraiser. Kean's campaign and the state Republican Party's NJ Victory 2006 Committee are to share the proceeds.
Kean, 37, the son of former Gov. Tom Kean, is vying to become the first Republican elected to the U.S. Senate from New Jersey in more than 30 years. He trails Menendez in fundraising.
Federal Election Commission records show that Kean had raised $2.97 million as of May 17 and had $1.84 million cash on hand. Menendez had raised $7.16 million and had $6.3 million cash on hand, his filings show.
"Mrs. Bush is pleased to support senatorial candidate Tom Kean," spokeswoman Tarah Donoghue said. "Mrs. Bush is committed to maintaining a (Republican) majority in the U.S. House and Senate."