Related articles:

Bush event for Bee raises $500K Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato : Bee gets photo-op with Bush, sort of Bush to visit Tucson for Bee fundraiser in 2 weeks, invite says President Bush coming to Tucson Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato : Bush will raise funds for Bee at Foothills manse Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato: It's gotta hurt: Kolbe no longer helping Bee

Other articles by Daniel Scarpinato:

Dems' dreams go down in flames Giffords, Grijalva seek $5B for new entry ports Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato : Obama's inaugural to include AZ flavor Grijalva, Giffords frequently part ways Lawmakers to hand out gold: Obama- event tickets City's vote on gay marriage Giffords' clear win raises question: What's it mean? Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato : Napolitano is mum on attorney general talk Governor won't talk about the Cabinet Observers don't see McCain riding into sunset

Services
Post Office General
GROUNDS CONTROL
LANDCAPE FOREMAN & LABORERS Retail
TOTAL WINE & MORE
WINE TEAM MEMBERS, CASHIER & STOCK MEMEBERS Education
Rio Salado College
Online Instructors Health Care
Godwin Corp
Physician Assistant General
SMALL WORLD
TEACHERS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Health Care
CATALINA POINTE ARTHRITIS RHEUMATOLOGY
LPN/MA

So sensitive were Republicans about information getting out about the goings-on at the Tucson fundraiser hosted by President Bush Friday morning, even W. himself made sure to ask the 400 or so people at the event to turn off any recording devices.

"I don't know a lot about technology," the president said, according to one insider, "but I do know about YouTube."

Held in a tent outside a nearly 9,000-square-foot Foothills palace, the president's speech to raise money for Republican congressional candidate Tim Bee was one that would surely get Democrats' blood boiling had cameras really been rolling.

At what is best described as a cocktail party-style brunch (without the cocktail), those inside say Bush stressed "progress" in the war on terror and defended the government's warrantless-wiretapping program.

Oh, and his tax cuts — let's make those permanent, he said.

Meanwhile, guests chowed on treats from Dakota Cafe, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road (in Trail Dust Town). For 10,000 bucks you got more than mini-quiche, though. Big spenders met the president and took photos.

Missing from the crowd: Car dealer Jim Click, a major fundraiser for Bush in both of his presidential campaigns. And the absence didn't go unnoticed by the president, who said he had talked to "Click" and the guy was busy racing cars in Texas.

Bush quipped that the local GOP heavyweight might be getting too old for such activities.

Bush saved his real praise, however, for John McCain. The duo have had some agreements — and some well-reported disagreements, the president highlighted.

The bottom line: When it comes to Arizona's senior senator — well, let's just say it's a lot better to be on his good side than his bad side, Bush reportedly joked.

Not to be outdone, Bee's Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, announced her own fundraiser late in the week.

On Monday, Gov. Janet Napolitano will collect some bucks for Giffords at a slightly less spectacular local event.

This private get-together costs $25 — not $1,000 minimum like Bee's.

It's the first time Napolitano has helped out Giffords in the cash department. While she's gotten involved in the Arizona Democratic primary race in another congressional district this year, Napolitano stayed out of Giffords' primary back in 2006.

"It's difficult times in the state right now, but she's been a really terrific governor," Giffords said.

While the event won't rake in Bush-level bucks, there's always this:

The president's Arizona approval rating is 35 percent.

Napolitano's? 76 percent.

In the eye of the beholder

Riding a wave of unusually high press coverage due to the Bush visit, the Bee campaign released a self-commissioned poll it found favorable — even if the candidate wasn't ahead in the results.

The numbers showed Giffords winning by 7 points.

So why brag about a poll in which you're losing? Well, 13 percent of voters were undecided. That's evidence, Bee says, that Giffords is vulnerable.

Or, depending on how you look at it, that she's ahead.