Bush Boosts 2 Candidates in Teetering House Campaign

President Bush stumped in the West Friday on behalf of two Republican House candidates--an unusual gesture by a president that underscores just how tight the race is for control of Congress.

Bush appeared at three campaign events on Friday featuring two Republican House candidates in open seats that political analysts describe as toss-ups. The two districts--one in Colorado, the other in Arizona--are new, reflecting the burgeoning population growth that has moved America’s voting power westward.

The president has attended fund-raisers every day this week, offering himself as the main draw at GOP events in Trenton, N.J. on Monday, in Washington Tuesday and Wednesday, and in Houston on Thursday. All together, he had helped Republican candidates and party organizations bring in $14.6 million over the five days.

Stuart Rothenberg, an independent political analyst, said Bush’s hectic campaigning, coming at a time when he is also deeply involved in negotiations and preparations for a possible war on Iraq, is a sign of the importance of November’s vote.

The president “is all over the place,” Rothenberg said. “He’s campaigning for lots of candidates. It’s hard for me to imagine that he could be more all over the place.”

Roughly 40 House races are considered competitive, and about two dozen of those are close enough to be considered toss-ups, according to Rothenberg.

A loss of six seats would cost Republicans control of the House.

In midterm elections, presidents generally focus their campaigning on key Senate and gubernatorial races. But this year, House districts--such as Colorado’s 7th and Arizona’s 1st--also have turned into big prizes worthy of presidential treatment.

Rothenberg said recent polls indicate the two districts may be tilting Republican, which suggests that the Bush visits are designed to cement that trend. For Republican voters, Rothenberg said, a visit from the president “reinforces the sense that these are winnable races.”

Bush’s first stop on Friday was a $1,000-a-plate luncheon in Denver for Republican candidate Bob Beauprez. A former dairy farmer turned banker and real estate developer, Beauprez is running against Democrat Mike Feeley, a former Marine and lobbyist.

“You’re backing the right man for Congress,” the president told an audience of Beauprez supporters, praising the candidate’s business acumen. “Bob’s common sense approach is good for Colorado.”

Later, Bush flew to Flagstaff to stump at a county fairgrounds for Rick Renzi, a wealthy businessman and father of 12 who captured the GOP nod in the new Arizona district. He is challenged by George Cordova, who has enjoyed strong support from Latino and Native American voters.

Renzi “believes in family values,” Bush said. “After all, he’s got 12 kids.”

Even though Cordova has had trouble appealing to conservative Democrats who may prove crucial in the race, Renzi’s lead in the polls has been fragile. His campaign has been damaged by allegations that he is a carpetbagger--although raised in northern Arizona, Renzi moved to Virginia in 1987 and only moved his primary residence back to Arizona a year ago.

Presidential visits can have spillover effects, boosting support for other Republican candidates, and that was part of the White House calculation for Friday’s jaunts.

In Colorado, incumbent Republican Sen. Wayne Allard is facing a stiff challenge from Denver businessman Tom Strickland. With the GOP hoping to overcome the Democrats’ one-seat Senate majority, Republicans can ill afford a loss by Allard.

In Arizona, GOP gubernatorial nominee Matt Salmon is locked in a close race with Democrat Janet Napolitano. Changing demographics have made Arizona a more competitive state in recent elections, and Bush would prefer a Republican in the governor’s chair during the 2004 presidential campaign.

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Times staff writer James Gerstenzang contributed to this report.