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President Bush headlined what is said to be the single most successful political fundraiser in Tucson history, raking-in more than $500,000 at a private event for Republican congressional candidate Tim Bee and other Republican candidates early this morning.

The sold-out brunch at a Foothills home near First Avenue and Ina Road brought major roads in town to a standstill last night and again today as the president’s motorcade whisked up and down Swan Road. Bush arrived last night around 10 p.m. and spent the night at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa. A little after 10 a.m., he was off to Texas.

While on his fourth visit to Tucson since elected, Bush recorded his weekly radio address from La Paloma and spoke by phone with Iraqi President Nouri al-Maliki about a potential timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops.

By 8:10 a.m. he was on his way to the fundraiser, attended by more than 400 people. The event was closed to media, but those who attended say Bush praised Bee’s work at the Legislature, where he is the outgoing president of the state Senate. He never mentioned Bee’s Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. But in a 20 minute speech, Bush expressed confidence that Bee could win the 8th Congressional District, represented by Giffords since 2007 and a nationally-watch political race.

Nearby, Democrats held protests nearby at Ina and Oracle Roads. At 9:35 a.m., Bush’s motorcade left the fundraiser. Hundreds of Tucsonans lined Sunrise and Swan Roads, which were completely closed, to take pictures and wave to the president. Some held signs ranging from “Thank God for Bush” to “Tucson is Blue.”

Eleven-year-old Robert Martinez Jr. managed to catch a glimpse of President Bush Friday morning as he made his way down South Swan Road to Davis Monthan Air Force base.

Even though Robert has already seen former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Dick Cheney when their motorcades passed by his home near the base, the excitement hasn’t worn off.

“I actually saw the president inside of his vehicle,” a beaming Robert said. “I like seeing the president and I like his plane.”

Angelina Martinez was with Robert as the motorcade passed by and said she felt a sense of pride. “It was really exciting,” she said. “It made me feel proud to be an American — I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true.”

Air Force One departed at 10:10 from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The president was headed to Houston to fundraiser for a Republican congressional candidate there.

Before his departure, the president greeted local dignitaries and presented Green Valley retiree Mary Frances Ward with the President's Volunteer Service Award.

Ward, a former schoolteacher originally from Maine, volunteers with Experience Corps, a program that provides tutoring and mentoring to elementary school students. She also volunteers at Valley Presbyterian Church, where she provides support to parishioners in crisis.

Read more in tomorrow’s Arizona Daily Star.