He appeared for Santorum in Bryn Mawr, raising $1.7 million.
President Bush lost Pennsylvania in last year's election and his approval ratings are sagging, but he proved yesterday
that he remains a popular draw, helping to raise $1.7 million for U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and the state Republican Party.
Bush's appearance at a private fund-raiser attracted about 1,000 people to a Bryn Mawr estate, where he promised to return
to Pennsylvania as often as Santorum needs him to win reelection next year, according to those who attended the event.
Santorum has been an ally to Bush, but recent polls suggest his support for the President's proposed changes to Social
Security might be one reason the senator is trailing the leading Democratic candidate, State Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr.
Still, Santorum told the group he would not shy away from Bush, and dismissed suggestions that the President could become
a liability in the Senate campaign.
" 'He can come in as much as he likes,' " said Montgomery County GOP chairman Kenneth E. Davis, recounting Santorum's
remarks about Bush.
Yesterday's luncheon was Santorum's largest fund-raiser to date, providing a significant cash infusion for a campaign
that aims to collect $25 million. So far, he has brought in $5 million, and Casey has raised $90,000, according to
the last filing, in March, only several weeks after Casey entered the race...
While Santorum supporters mixed with the President and sampled tea sandwiches, quiche and crab, about 200 demonstrators
lined Montgomery Avenue, several blocks away. They toted signs challenging Santorum and Bush on Social Security, environmental
protection, the Iraq conflict, energy policy and gay marriage.
"At the same time George Bush and Rick Santorum are raising hundreds of thousands in campaign contributions," said Mark
Nevins, a spokesman for Pennsylvanians United to Protect Social Security, they are "pushing a Social Security plan that cuts
benefits. That's a comparison that's stark and obnoxious to a lot of retirees."
The protesters were kept a mile away from the fund-raiser, at the home of Mitchell L. Morgan, the founder of Morgan Properties,
a King of Prussia real estate firm with apartment buildings in 11 states.
Morgan, a Temple University trustee who paid his way through school by selling shoes, was chosen as host for several
reasons, according to the campaign.
He has been a Santorum supporter, raising money for him in the past. And Morgan's property, 20 acres once owned by Comcast-Spectacor
chairman Edward M. Snider, was big enough to accommodate hundreds of guests and convenient for Bush, who flew into Philadelphia
International Airport.
Ticket price determined a person's access - and placement on the property.
Those who contributed at least $10,000 waited inside Morgan's house for the President; after he arrived around 11:15
a.m., they lined up for individual photos with him. Those who contributed at least $250 mingled in an air-conditioned tent
on the back lawn, where Bush eventually spoke to the crowd.
In a 15-minute speech, Bush reiterated his determination to establish personal Social Security investment accounts and
to encourage the spread of democracy around the world, according to people at the event...
Bush bantered with Santorum over how they don't always agree, specifically mentioning their differences over Amtrak funding.
The Bush-Santorum alliance was applauded at the fund-raiser, but took a hit yesterday from the Casey campaign.
"It is no surprise the President has come to Pennsylvania to help Santorum circle the limousines in support of the failed
policies of the status quo," said Jay Reiff, Casey's campaign manager. "Bob Casey is in the lead and will continue to be in
the lead because Rick Santorum is out of touch with what Pennsylvanians care about."
A poll by Franklin and Marshall College released last week showed Casey leading by seven points.
Of the money raised yesterday, $1.1 million will go to Santorum's campaign, said John Brabender, Santorum's media consultant.
About $600,000 will be deposited in a federal account of the Republican State Committee, which benefits 2006 federal candidates,
including Santorum...
