Bush makes whirlwind campaign stop in Raleigh

RALEIGH -- Other than the traffic snarls caused as local roads were blocked to make way for the presidential motorcade, President Bush's brief visit to the Triangle late Friday to raise funds for Republican gubernatorial nominee Pat McCrory was a low-profile affair.

The event, held at the home of Raleigh developer John Kane, was closed to the public and the media.

Whether intentional or accidental, there were no opportunities provided for media to photograph Bush and McCrory. The state Democratic Party this week introduced a YouTube video linking McCrory to the president, whose approval ratings are in the 30s nationally and slightly higher -- in the 40s -- in North Carolina.

But Bush is still a big draw for big money.

McCrory faces Democratic Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, an entrenched pillar of the state's Democratic establishment, in the November election.

Tickets for the event started at $4,000.

Air Force One touched down at 4:47 p.m. at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The president greeted Wake County and Raleigh officials, including Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and Wake County commissioners' chairman Joe Bryan, who gave Bush a Carolina Hurricanes sweater.

Bush then greeted Nicholas Marriam, 15, a West Johnston High School student whom the president recognized for his volunteer work with children who have cancer.

Nicholas, who survived a diagnosis of cancer when he was 6, started the nonprofit Nickelby Project with his cousin.

Nicholas takes bags of donated books, toys, MP3 players and other items to young cancer patients at hospitals.

Bush gave Nicholas an award and told him to keep up the good work, Nicholas said in an interview after he greeted the president.

"I told him, it's a great honor to meet you, Mr. President. He said, 'Thank you. You must be Nicholas.' "

Nicholas, a big hockey fan, gave Bush a putter shaped like a Hurricanes hockey stick. Bush took a practice swing with it. The teen also gave Bush a gift bag similar to the ones Nicholas delivers to cancer patients.

Bush's motorcade arrived at Kane's home off Lassiter Mill Road shortly before 5:30 p.m. Near the home, people lined the road, some holding signs showing support for the president.

Bush left the fundraiser shortly after 6 p.m. As the president's limo departed, McCrory came outside Kane's home and waved to the motorcade.

About a block from the home, Bush hopped out of his car and spent a few moments with a group of children and adults waiting on a corner to catch a glimpse of the motorcade.

Little more than two hours after it arrived, Air Force One left RDU at 6:56 p.m.