Laura Bush to campaign in Q-C today

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By Ed Tibbetts | Thursday, September 28, 2006 12:56 AM CDT | () comments

First Lady Laura Bush will visit Davenport today to help raise money for Republican congressional candidate Mike Whalen, the first in a handful of Quad-City political visits the next four days.

Mrs. Bush will be at the RiverCenter, with remarks scheduled for 9:45 a.m., according to the White House.

The event is by invitation only. Attendees are paying $250, $1,000 or $1,500.

Whalen, of Bettendorf, is running for the Iowa 1st District seat against Democrat Bruce Braley of Waterloo.

Already, there has been a parade of prominent political figures who have come to the Quad-Cities to aid both men’s efforts.

Others are coming this weekend.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., will appear Saturday with Braley in the Eisenhower Elementary School gymnasium, 2827 Jersey Ridge Road, Davenport. The public event is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

An hour earlier, Obama is scheduled to help raise money for Democratic 17th Congressional District candidate Phil Hare of Rock Island at the Plumbers & Pipefitters Hall, 4600 Blackhawk Road, Rock Island.

The cost of the public fundraiser is $35.

Hare is running against Republican Andrea Zinga of Coal Valley.

U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., will be in the Quad-Cities to stump for Democrats on Sunday.

Bayh, who is considered a potential 2008 presidential candidate, will help raise money for Hare at a private fundraiser at the home of Greg Hass and Dr. Melinda Hass, 3333 17th St., Rock Island. It will begin at 9:30 a.m.

At 11 a.m., Bayh will join Scott County Democrats for a fundraiser on behalf of local candidates at Duck Creek Lodge, 2300 E. Locust St., Davenport. The cost is $25.

Bayh is spending four days in Iowa, beginning Friday. This will be his ninth trip to the state, home of the lead-off 2008 presidential caucuses. It will be his second trip to the Quad-Cities.

Ed Tibbetts can be contacted at (563) 383-2327 or etibbetts@qctimes.com.