Former President George Bush visits fund-raiser in Minnetonka

Former President George Bush was in Minnesota on Thursday for a fund-raiser for the state Republican Party.

The reception was held to replenish coffers drained by months of work toward the November election. With about 150 people, the $5,000-per-couple event raised more than $375,000, said Tony Sutton, executive director of the state Republican Party.

"It was literally one of the largest fund-raisers we've ever had for the state Republican Party," he said.

Bush mingled with guests at the private reception at the Lake Minnetonka home of Bill Cooper, CEO of TCF Financial Corp. and former chairman of the state Republican Party.

Texas Gov. George W. Bush, Bush's son, received the Republican Party's presidential nomination.

The elder Bush spoke about the upcoming election, telling guests that the GOP is poised to make great gains in November, but that much more work lies ahead, Sutton said.

"There are all sorts of generic things we can do with get-out-the-vote [efforts] that helps all campaigns -- the Rod Grams campaign, the Bush campaign," Sutton said. "We need the money to replenish the coffers for the stretch run against the DFL."

U.S. Sen. Rod Grams was among the guests; so were U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad and Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer and many leaders in the Twin Cities business community.

"I think the very fact that President Bush came to Minnesota shows that the campaign and the Republican National Committee think this state is winnable," Sutton said. "I think it's surprising a lot of the pundits out East, but it's no surprise to us. We've seen this state in transition, so we're working hard to win."

-- Maria Elena Baca