President Bush visits West Michigan

WEST MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - President Bush, who's record low approval ratings dropped to 21 percent in Wednesday's new Zogby poll, touched down in Grand Rapids just after noon on Wednesday.

Newschannel 3 following the President in West Michigan.

In a manner of three hours, the President swept in and swept out, trying to raise some money for Republicans in Michigan. Republicans have been admittedly staggering after Senator John McCain decided to pull his campaign out of the state.

President Bush arrived in Grand Rapids Wednesday for the first time in more than a year. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land was there to greet him and had a lengthy conversation with him.

"It's very key for the party," Land said, "we have some tight races in Michigan; Tim Walberg and Congressman Knollenberg. So the fact he's here to support those candidates, to be able to talk to the donors and supporters."

After conversing with Land, Mr. Bush honored local volunteer Cindy Leep for her service. Leep is a woman who is helping farmers in Uganda, Africa grow grain that thrives in harsh growing conditions.

From there, Mr. Bush traveled to Ada to meet with business leaders at the Schintz Deli, talking about the government rescue plan and what his administration can do to help, even as he prepares to leave office.

"Aiming to make sure the folks out there watching their 401k's decline know that the government's taking strong action, to get this crisis over with, to get its economy back to normal again," President Bush said.

Finally, Mr. Bush headed to the home of former Amway Corporation Chief Dick DeVos, where there was a line of people waiting to say hello.

Newschannel 3 was told that the President was helping to raise money for U.S. Representative Joe Knollenberg and freshman U.S. Representative Tim Walberg, both of who are in tight races leading up to election day.