Protesters greet Bush in Phoenix, Flagstaff
President Bush arrived in Arizona yesterday afternoon to play cheerleader and fund-raiser for GOP gubernatorial candidate Matt Salmon and for a political newcomer who's running in one of the most competitive congressional districts in the United States.
Bush made his entrance into Arizona with a stop first in Flagstaff, as about 150 sign-carrying protesters milled about during a steady drizzle.
The president then flew into the Valley for a speech before party faithful at the Phoenix Civic Plaza, where dissenters proved more unruly. Police made arrests after some protesters got out of control, authorities said.
Air Force One left Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for Waco, Texas, before 6 p.m.
In Phoenix, the task on hand was to help raise much needed cash for Salmon, a former congressman who is in a tight race with Demo- crat Janet Napolitano to succeed Gov. Jane Hull. Dinner tickets were $700 each.
Not everyone had elections in mind.
"I'm concerned. I live and breathe northern Arizona, but I worry about the world around us," said a man in a brown suit who would only identify himself as "Joe World." He stood near US 89A and flashed the peace sign to passing motorists.
At the height of the protests yesterday, some 500 people waved signs espousing various causes - the majority of them about U.S. policy on Iraq.
"Drop Bush, not bombs," some chanted.
Before his visit to Arizona, Bush flew to Colorado to lobby for his homeland security plan and to raise money that the Republican Party needs to win control of Congress for the next two years.
Speaking in Denver on behalf of Colorado GOP House candidate Bob Beauprez, Bush said the Senate is bogged down in the work rules governing how the new Department of Homeland Security should be run, threatening to tie his hands with labor rules.
"I don't need a thick book of regulations trying to micromanage the Department of Homeland Security," he said.
Bush's barnstorming across the country and into Arizona will bring huge financial benefits for Salmon and political benefits for Rick Renzi, Republican candidate for the new 1st Congressional District seat. Salmon and Renzi are locked in tight races that carry national implications. Arizona is considered a battleground state for Bush as he heads toward his re-election bid in 2004.
Bush's visit to Arizona began in Flagstaff. His speech
at the Coconino County Fairgrounds focused on Renzi, who is neck and neck with
Democrat George Cordova in a key swing district for control of the U.S. House.