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Bush brings in more than $400,000 for Hutchinson, state GOP Thursday, Aug 31, 2006 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - President Bush praised Republican Asa Hutchinson as a leader at a fundraiser Wednesday while pulling in more than $400,000 to be split between Hutchinson's gubernatorial campaign and the state Republican Party. During a three-hour visit to Arkansas' capital city, the president also presented a Sherwood woman with a service award pin and surprised patrons and workers at a popular downtown restaurant with an unannounced visit. Outside Cotham's in the City, the president extolled Hutchinson as a man who gets things done. "I've known Asa for a long time," the president told reporters. "He's the kind of fellow who can set an agenda and then achieve the results necessary to get the job done. I've seen it first hand in Washington." The president added that Hutchinson was the man "I called to help get the Homeland Security Department up and running. I want to thank him for that." Hutchinson, a former congressman who worked in the Bush administration as undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, faces Democrat Mike Beebe, the state's attorney general, in the Nov. 7 general election. After watching Bush leave on Air Force One Wednesday afternoon, Hutchinson said it was "a thrill to have the president here." "This is great momentum for our campaign," Hutchinson said. "Not only is it an opportunity to raise money, but very importantly to energize our supporters and to treat them to our national leader, the leader of the free world, and to hear what's happening in the world in a very close setting." Earlier in the day, about 800 people attended the fundraising luncheon at the home of former Razorback and NBA basketball player Joe Kleine in west Little Rock. During the private event, the president spoke of the Oval Office and his time as president, Hutchinson said. "It was really a great event," he said. "It was an awesome crowd, they were very patient, and the Kleine family was terrific to open up their home." Hutchinson, his wife, Susan, Gov. Mike Huckabee and other Republican dignitaries greeted Bush president after Air Force One touched down at Little Rock National Airport just after 11 a.m. and rode with the president to the fundraiser. Hutchinson and his wife accompanied the president back to the airport after the event. They also walked into Cotham's with the president and visited with patrons and workers. Along with discussing the gubernatorial campaign, Hutchinson said he also talked to the president about genetically modified long-grain rice that has been found in rice in Arkansas. Two lawsuits were filed Monday in federal court against Bayer CropScience LP, the maker of the genetically modified rice. Tuesday, 20 farmers in Lonoke County filed a lawsuit against Bayer and Riceland Foods Inc. Farmers say they are losing money because the European Union has stopped receiving the tainted U.S. rice. The president "was certainly aware of that and on top of that," Hutchinson said. "I'm pleased to have been able to have that discussion about Arkansas farmers with the president." Hutchinson said his relationship with the president would help the state if he is elected governor in November. At Cotham's, Bush and Hutchinson received a standing ovation. The president greeted restaurant goers and took pictures with patrons and the kitchen staff, then strolled back to his motorcade chomping on a chocolate fried pie. "It was exciting. I'm still shaking and nervous," said Bush supporter Sarah Bennett of Little Rock, who had just stopped at the restaurant to visit a friend when the president strolled in. "He was very nice, taking pictures with everyone. I got pictures of him, I got a picture with him and an autograph on my husband's business card." Waiter Anthony Bearden said he "kind of feel special today" after posing for pictures with Bush, and waitress Heather Hoyt excitedly showed off the $5 tip she received from the president, though she admitted to a tinge of bitterness "because everybody kept jumping in front of him for pictures and I'm the only Republican that works here!" Cotham's manager Hailey Shackelford said she was not alerted that the president was coming, but at least three Republican state lawmakers got word that the president would stop at the restaurant on his way back to the airport from the Hutchinson fundraiser, and they made their way to meet him. "It was apparent, though, that no one here knew he was coming. It was thrilling to see how well he was received," said Rep. Daryl Pace, R-Siloam Springs, who was with Reps. Bill Pritchard, R-Elkins, and Johnny Key, R-Mountain Home. "He got a standing ovation and most people stayed on their feet the entire visit. Everyone was just delighted to visit with him." Just after his arrival at the Little Rock Airport, the president presented Joy Cameron of Sherwood with the President's Volunteer Service Award for work she did in organizing thousands of meals for Gulf Coast residents who fled north after Hurricane Katrina hit last year. |
