Laura Bush stumps for Lewis
By Ryan Alessi
FRANKFORT BUREAU
RADCLIFF - In a rare Kentucky campaign appearance, first lady Laura Bush urged voters to actively support U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis in his increasingly contentious re-election bid.
Democratic candidate Mike Weaver, a state representative and retired Army colonel, has said he has closed the gap on Lewis, the seven-term incumbent. Weaver called Bush's visit a sign that Lewis is "absolutely concerned."
Both candidates have been campaigning with the stars in the final week.
The first lady's appearance for Lewis came after Weaver began a bus tour Tuesday in Shelbyville featuring U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, Kentucky's lone Democrat in Congress, and U.S. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md.
In her 16-minute remarks, Bush told 350 attendees that Lewis has supported the president in some of his key initiatives, including his tax cuts and legislation for farmers and the war on Iraq.
"In Washington, he's distinguished himself as a passionate advocate for the 2nd District," she said. "Ron Lewis has been a champion of Kentucky's rural communities."
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