STOCKTON — President Bush painted the midterm election as a referendum on national security at fundraising events in California on Tuesday, saying congressional Democrats failed to provide the tools he needs to fight the war on terror.
"They talk tough on terror, but when the votes are counted, their softer side comes out," he told a crowd of about 650 at Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium, flanked by Rep. Richard W. Pombo (R-Tracy).
Bush also helped raise money for Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Roseville) at an event near Sacramento on Tuesday afternoon on his way to a third fundraiser in Bel Air.
Pombo and Doolittle, tarnished by their ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), have been campaigning hard in their solidly Republican districts.
Bush called Pombo, chairman of the House Resources Committee, a man who "stands on principle" and supports the programs necessary to protect the country, including legislation protecting the CIA's program for detaining and interrogating suspected terrorists and the National Security Agency's communications surveillance program.
"The stakes in this election couldn't be more clear," Bush said. "If you don't think we should be listening in on the terrorists, then you ought to vote for the Democrats. If you want your government to continue listening in when Al Qaeda planners are making phone calls into the United States, then you vote Republican."
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued a statement in response to Bush: "What's softer than giving up the hunt for Osama bin Laden and ignoring the 16 intelligence agencies who told him that the war in Iraq is making us less safe at home and around the world?"
Shawn and Wiley Chandler, grocery store owners from Stockton, are Pombo supporters who brought their three daughters to Tuesday's event. They said they were not upset that the congressman had accepted campaign donations from Abramoff, but they did worry about terrorism, and saw voting for Pombo as a way to protect themselves.
"I think he's on a mission, and we support what he's doing to keep hard-working families' taxes down, to help small businesses and to keep us safe," said Wiley Chandler, 42.
Peter Petroski, 58, a registered Republican from Danville, stood across the street from the auditorium Tuesday with several hundred protesters, hoisting a sign for Pombo's Democratic opponent, scientist Jerry McNerny.
