U.S. Security at Stake in Upcoming Vote, Bush Says in 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.

Petroski said he voted for Pombo in 2004 and Bush in 2000, but found Pombo’s ties to Abramoff and DeLay “embarrassing.” He said he was troubled by Bush’s speech, and by the NSA program, which he said violates basic civil liberties.

Both Doolittle, 55, an eight-term incumbent and Pombo, 45, now in his seventh term, waged expensive primary campaigns to fend off attacks from MoveOn.org, the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, the Sierra Club and other groups.

Pombo accepted campaign money from Abramoff and his clients and helped an Indian tribe Abramoff represented. The congressman later donated the Abramoff money to charity.

Doolittle also accepted campaign money from Abramoff and used the lobbyist’s luxury skybox at a Washington sports arena for a fundraiser without reporting it. He has not returned the campaign money, instead defending Abramoff as a friend.

Years ago, Pombo and Doolittle also joined with DeLay, the former House majority leader who resigned amid money-laundering charges, to stop a federal investigation of a Texas businessman who donated to their campaigns.

Both McNerny and Doolittle’s opponent, Charlie Brown, have been spotlighted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as among the top 15 competitive “emerging races” nationally.

Tuesday’s events raised about $400,000 for Pombo, $600,000 for Doolittle and $1.2 million for the Republican National Committee.

More than 300 people paid $2,000 each to attend the Doolittle fundraiser at Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills.

Doolittle acknowledged Tuesday that his wife’s consulting firm stood to make $90,000 for her role in organizing the event. He defended the arrangement with Julie Doolittle’s political consulting company, Sierra Dominion Financial Solutions Inc., under which she makes 15% of all money the company raises for her husband.

“I hired her. She is a very good fundraiser, and she works very hard,” Doolittle said.

Brown has repeatedly attacked Doolittle for his relationship with Abramoff, Julie Doolittle’s fundraising commission and other purported ethical lapses.

Bush spoke for 30 minutes, focusing on national security issues. Afterward, he flew south for a reception at the Bel Air mansion of Robin Broidy, a former 20th Century Fox executive, and Elliott Broidy, chairman and CEO of Broidy Capital Management Co.

Absent from the day’s events: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. His staff said he agreed months ago to campaign Tuesday for a handful of ballot measures to authorize $37 billion in bonds for levees, hospitals, schools and other public works.

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molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com

rone.tempest@latimes.com