Bush arrives in Albuquerque

27 May 2008

ALBUQUERQUE- Air Force One took off about half an hour earlier than expected, bound for Phoenix.

President Bush had been expected to leave around 2:30 from the Albuquerque International Sunport, but Air Force One took off just after 2 p.m.

Bush was in Albuquerque to attend a private fundraiser for Sheriff Darren White's Congressional campaign at a Los Ranchos de Albuquerque home.

The event attracted about 200 people and raised $317,000.

Next, Bush is headed for Arizona to participate in fundraisers for Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president.

His fundraising trip has drawn protests on both sides of the aisle. Democrats are planning a protest near the Los Ranchos de Albuquerque home where the fundraiser is being held. White's Republican rival, Joe Carraro, issued an angry statement today about the campaign stop.

"It is unfortunate that the Republican National Committee, and the Darren White campaign have brought the President of the United States into the First Congressional District of New Mexico to tell us who to vote for in this Primary race," Carraro wrote. "New Mexicans don't need Washington bosses to tell us who can best serve the interests of New Mexico and our country."

Carraro and White are both running for the Republican nomination in the First Congressional District. The winner will face one of four Democratic candidates running: Martin Heinrich, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Rebecca Vigil-Giron and Robert Pidcock.

Heather Wilson, the incumbent, is running against Steve Pearce for the Republican nomination for Senate. That seat is being opened with Sen. Pete Domenici's retirement at the end of this term.

The state's primary is next Tuesday.