FUND RAISER GENERATES $100,000

Texas Gov. George Bush raised more than $100,000 for his Republican presidential campaign at a Cape Girardeau fund raiser Thursday.

But he came away most impressed with Millie Limbaugh, mother of conservative radio-talk-show host Rush Limbaugh.

"She is fabulous," Bush said after a Wednesday night visit to her home.

Bush's mini-motorcade pulled into the Limbaugh driveway shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Millie Limbaugh left the outside light on. Bush was greeted at the door by Rush Limbaugh.

He spent the next hour in the home before departing for an overnight stay at the Drury Suites hotel.

Besides Millie and Rush Limbaugh, those on hand for the meeting included Rush's brother, David Limbaugh; Missouri Supreme Court Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh; his wife, Marsha; and state Sen. Peter Kinder. Stephen Limbaugh is a cousin of Rush and David Limbaugh.

Kinder, who lives in Cape Girardeau, helped arrange the evening visit to the Limbaugh home. Kinder presented a gift basket of Scott County peaches to Bush when he arrived at the airport Wednesday night. Bush's staff spent part of the evening devouring the fruit.

Despite her ailing health, Millie Limbaugh was elated by Bush's visit.

"I was so impressed with him. He looks you in the eye when he speaks to you, and he is so down to earth," she said.

"He just has so much common sense. He is moral. He is a good person," she said.

"I told him I loved his mother," she said.

Bush drank only water during the visit. "I didn't even make a pot of coffee," she said Thursday.

Millie Limbaugh said Bush had sent a note to Rush Limbaugh recently expressing concern about her health.

"He was just real sweet," she said. "Rush was impressed with him too."

But even after the late-night visit, Rush Limbaugh wasn't ready to endorse Bush. He called the governor "a good friend."

Rush Limbaugh spent part of Thursday at his mother's home. He didn't attend the Bush events. He was scheduled to leave Thursday afternoon for a trip to Vail, Colo., where he planned to spend time with friends and meet former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

Bush's visit to Cape Girardeau impressed more than the Limbaughs. Local eye surgeon Dr. Charles Cozean praised Bush after hosting a fund raiser at his Beechwood Lane home.

More than 200 people attended the $1,000-a-couple luncheon where tenderloin, salmon, white wine, Perrier water and ice tea were served.

The warm day made people thirsty. "Ice tea went like crazy," said Cozean.

The fund raiser began at 11 a.m. Bush arrived around noon and stayed for over an hour. Guests remained after Bush left. The last guest left about 2 p.m., Cozean said.

Financial contributors came from as far away as Poplar Bluff and Southern Illinois.

Bush shook hands and posed for photos with the guests. He gave about a 35-minute speech to the guests assembled in Cozean's living room.

"He speaks very well," said Cozean. He said Bush's remarks were sprinkled with humor.

"I think he has the message and the charisma and the fiber to go all the way," said Cozean, who met Bush's father when the elder Bush was running for vice president.

Cozean said he admired President Bush's demeanor. He sees similar traits in George W. Bush.

Cozean, who has raised money for other politicians in the past, said he was surprised by how polished Bush was.

"He just makes a positive first impression," said Cozean.