Bush Aims To Boost Economy, GOP Coffers

President Raising Millions For His Party Even As His Influence Declines In His Final Year

(AP)  President Bush pressured Congress to jump-start the economy and pass free trade deals with U.S. allies on Wednesday while tackling one other piece of unfinished business: making millions for the Republican Party before he leaves office.

The president's popularity is sagging and the rise of Sen. John McCain's profile after his victory in Tuesday's Florida primary - coupled with Rudy Giuliani's exit from the presidential race - only underscore Bush's declining influence.

Yet, the two-term president remains the top moneymaker of the GOP. He is raking in at least $4.7 million for Republicans in a three-day swing through California, Nevada, Colorado and Missouri while highlighting themes of his State of the Union address.

Bush's push to get Congress to pass an economic stimulus package was fueled by Wednesday's report that the Gross Domestic Product in the final quarter of last year rose only 0.6 percent, half the pace economists expected.

"There are signs that our economy is slowing. There's some uncertainty in the economy," Bush told workers at Robinson Helicopter Co. in the Los Angeles area.

But he fended off fears of recession.

"In the long run, you've got to be confident about your economy," Bush said against a backdrop of red, orange and yellow helicopters polished to a high shine. "Inflation is down. Interest rates are low. Productivity is high. Our economy is flexible. It is resilient."

Bush praised the House for passing a $146 billion stimulus package, which has hit snags in the Senate.

"If you're truly interested in dealing with the slowdown of the economy, the Senate ought to accept the House package, pass it and get it to my desk as soon as possible," he said.

Back in Washington, Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Finance Committee, was breaking with the president and Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who both want the Senate to rubber stamp the same measure the House passed on Tuesday.

Grassley said he will support a bill by panel Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., that would pump $196 billion into the economy over the next two years. Grassley backs a proposal to add billions to the House bill to include senior citizens and the unemployed, change rebate amounts and deliver checks even to the richest taxpayers, who are disqualified under the House-passed measure.

"I understand people having their points of view, and we welcome points of view in Washington - there appears to be a lot of them up there," Bush said. "But whatever the Senate does, they should not delay this package. They should not keep money out of your pocket."

Bush also urged Congress to pass free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, which would curb tariffs on U.S.-made goods. Seventy percent of the helicopters Robinson makes are bound for foreign markets, including Colombia, where it has a service center and dealership. Under a free-trade agreement, Colombia would end its 10 percent tariffs on Robinson's helicopters.

Some Democrats have grown more skeptical of trade pacts considering soaring U.S. trade deficits and the loss of 3 million manufacturing jobs since 2000. Opponents of the deal with Colombia say the nation has not done enough to curb violence against union organizers, including a number of murders.

"It's going to be a tough vote," Bush said. "Some say trade hurts our economy. These are good, decent people. I just beg to disagree."

After his visit to the chopper factory, Bush was to attend a luncheon at the Los Angeles home of Robin and Elliot Broidy to raise about $1.7 million for the Republican National Committee. Later, at a dinner in Hillsborough, a Democratic enclave in the San Francisco Bay area, he'll be helping raise another $1.5 million for the RNC. Other fundraisers are scheduled during the next few days in greater Las Vegas, Denver and Kansas City, Mo.

At the factory, Bush was introduced by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who said Robinson Helicopter was only one business in the state, which exports an estimated $130 billion in goods and services each year.

The movie star-turned-governor said he told Bush that he had learned to fly helicopters while making action films.

"So if you want me to take you on a spin on one, I'm more than happy to do that," Schwarzenegger said.

"I've got my own helicopter driver. Thank you," Bush joked.

[fettkonserv]

Arnold will get a extra large snuggly for President Bush to hide in.

[hippychicky-2009]

Why is the Republican party still around? Seriously folks........can''t we throw them all in Guantanimo Bay?

[hippychicky-2009]

blah blah blah XLIB - go sit on Fox''s newsite if you want to read how wonderful the Pres and his cronies are doing......waaaaaaaaaaaa.

This article is a Hoot because the dude running this country should be wearing a dunce cap and sitting in a corner.

[xlib]

This article is an absolute HOOT! First we were treated to all kinds of articles about the clinton gang and all the money they were raising, all kinds of articles about how the dems are ourtraising the Republicans-NOW-this garbage. Tell us clinton broadcasting sysstem, what is the difference between bubba raising all kinds of money for his party (with the backing of ultra billionaire soros)and Bush?? What the h*&*l is the difference?? Say, do we know have rich chi coms?

Where''s the story on the mayor of Detroit and the latest s&x scandal?? Must be he''s a dem because I don''t see it here. UMMM-would the story run if he were a Republican?

[ajaxtheleast]

Only visited the "chopper" factory hearing they made

heavy duty paper and computer hard drive shredders.

Time running out on SuperI.Q.man45.

[crater7]

BUSH WILL VETO ANY BILL THAT OFFERS SUPPORT TO THE SENIORS OF THIS COUNTRY. IMAGINE THAT, HE VETO''S HELP FOR THE CHILDREN OF THIS COUNTRY, AND THEN THREATENS A VETO FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA TOO.

SENIORS WILL RECIEVE A BIG FAT 0.

ILLEGAL ALIENS, YOUR CHECK IS IN THE MAIL.

STAYING THE COURSE..AMNESTY FOR ALL.

[brianbwb-2009]

Ironic, that Arnie spent a lot of time and energy explaining his father''s association with the Austrian SS, claiming not to follow the nazi mindset, and distancing himself from his father''s political views, yet now he is in a photo smiling with the 21st century version of exactly the same concept.

[keithle1]

Why would you want to be a Republican?

[keithle1]

Hearing Bush speak is PAINFUL. Worse than the scene in "Marathon Man" where Laurence Olivier is drilling Dustin Hoffman''s teeth with no painkiller. Bush is the complete opposite of Tony Blair as far as public speaking is concerned. When you listen to Bush, it''s as if English was not his first language. AWFUL.

Bush has got nothing to smile about. Can''t be proud about his legacy or place in history. I know Bush Senior isn''t proud of him. I know I haven''t been proud to be an American since Dubya took office.

One of our country''s worst Presidents. In the bottom 5 of all time. Roll on January 2009. Can''t get here fast enough for me. Election is 9 months away. Be nice never to see Cheney''s face again. Slimy snake.

[tbweb]

Pres. Bush was never shy about who his base was and he took care of his base. Anything wrong with that?
Posted by tbweb

Yea there is!! This is a democracy not a Plutocracy. The man has decimated the middle class which is a huge base in favor of a much smaller base the "have mores". These have mores don''''t spend enough to make up for the lost wages of the middle class. To bad you neanderthals don''''t understand basic economics, but then again neither did Ronnie ***!!

Posted by bm6005 at 10:24 PM : Jan 30, 2008,,,

Its the trickle down theory, you have to be more patient! Things just have not trickled down yet! drip drip drip ... lol