NewsMax.com Wires
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003

"We've seen the worst of nature," Bush told firefighters, but the "absolute best of mankind."

In a speech to firefighters and other emergency workers, Bush marveled at the "massive amount of destruction."

"When people realize the scope of the fires, the historic nature of the fires, they'll realize what a superhuman effort you all put in to save lives," he said.

"I saw firsthand what it means for people to draw a line in the sand and say, 'This fire's not getting any further'," the president said.

From Air Force One and later from Marine One, the presidential helicopter, Bush saw the evidence of the firefighters' efforts: Mile after mile of undeveloped hills were blackened, but the flames stopped at housing developments.

The stench of ash still hung heavy in the air as Bush, accompanied by Gov. Gray Davis and Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger, touched down at midmorning in Harbison Canyon east of San Diego, ringed by steep, scorched hillsides.

In the charred, undeveloped areas, the only sign of human activity that Bush could witness were the fresh bulldozer tracks, although he also caught glimpses of some of the fires that still burn on there.

Bush comforted families in one of southern California's most devastated communities in San Diego County. He surveyed a scene of breathtaking destruction, shaking his head as he greeted family members by putting an arm around their shoulders. These families, he said, have been "crushed by material loss."

Bush did not announce any additional federal aid for the region. The federal government already has extended more than $3 million in assistance to the especially hard-hit communities in southern California.

Davis and Schwarzenegger joined Bush in Marine One for his aerial survey, but the White House bumped the two from Bush's walking tour. They rejoined him at a briefing inside a "war room" specially constructed for Bush, where fire officials used a pointer to describe firefighting efforts.

Bush had met with Schwarzenegger late last month, after the Hollywood star's victory in the California recall election, as the president headed toward a summit of Asian nations.

Bush lost California to Al Gore in 2000, and the White House would badly like to get it in his column next year.

At the airport in Waco, he kissed his wife, Laura, before boarding Air Force One. The first lady was flying separately back to the nation's capital on her birthday, and the Bushes' two dogs accompanied her.

In California, the victory by Schwarzenegger, who is to take office Nov. 17, raised Republican prospects that Bush could be competitive in the state that is the biggest prize in 2004, with 55 of the 270 electoral votes he needs to win a second term.

Bush-Cheney campaign officials note that Schwarzenegger and rival Republican Tom McClintock took a total of 62 percent of the vote in last month's recall. They claim that with that many California voters backing the two Republicans, it's hard to argue that California won't be up for grabs next year.

It was Bush's 10th visit to California as president.

© 2003 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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