Bush tries to shift focus from war, Foley scandal
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (AP) -- President Bush tried to drown out political anxieties about war and sex Wednesday by sounding alarm bells on national security and urging people to "vote Republican for the safety" of the country. This week has put the Republicans' bid to keep control of Congress in further jeopardy and brought even more bad news for the president. Republicans on Capitol Hill have been damaged by one member's online sexual advances against teenage boys, while military commanders in Iraq are grappling with a rash of troop casualties and allegations of police corruption...
"If the other bunch gets elected, they're going to raise your taxes," Bush charged during a breakfast fundraiser for Rep. Rick Renzi at the posh Camelback Inn near Phoenix, Arizona. Worse yet, Bush said, some Democrats are putting national security at risk by voting against bills that would allow eavesdropping on phone calls and tough measures to interrogate prisoners to try to detect terror plots. "If you want to make sure those on the front line of protecting you have the tools necessary to do so, you vote Republican for the safety of the United States of America," Bush said to applause from the donors who together gave $450,000 to see him speak and support Renzi...
After his remarks, Bush stepped outside on a patio with a view of Camelback Mountain to sign a $34.8 billion bill to fund homeland security. The bill includes $1.2 billion for about 700 miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border, along with vehicle barriers, lighting and infrared cameras to help catch people sneaking across... Later, Bush flew to Colorado to raise $550,000 for Rep. Bob Beauprez, who is running for governor. Then he was heading back to Washington after a three-day swing through four Western states that brought more than $3.6 million to GOP coffers...
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/04/bush.strategy.ap