Bush Arrives in County for Fund-Raiser : Campaigning: The President will speak at a breakfast in Irvine, then go to Century City for a benefit to generate $1 million for Pete Wilson.

Continuing his travels on behalf of Republican candidates, President Bush will kick off a five-day series of fund-raisers this morning at a breakfast in Orange County for GOP candidates from around the state.

Bush, who spent Tuesday on the campaign trail in New England for congressional candidates, will spend less than 24 hours in California as he begins his western fund-raising swing with an appearance this morning at the Irvine Hyatt hotel. About 1,000 Republican Party faithful will pay $500 each to hear Bush’s remarks at the fund-raising breakfast, which the state Republican Committee will host.

Among those scheduled to attend the 7:30 a.m. fund-raiser are state attorney general candidate Matt Fong, state treasurer candidate Tom Hayes and state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach), the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor.

After his brief appearance at the Hyatt, the President will go to the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, where he will address a fund-raising luncheon for gubernatorial candidate Sen. Pete Wilson. The $1,000-a-plate luncheon is expected to raise about $1 million for Wilson’s campaign.

Wilson, who is in Washington awaiting final word on the federal budget bill, will be unable to attend either fund-raiser, aides to his campaign said. Wilson’s wife, Gail, will attend both events on his behalf.

Immediately after his appearance in Century City, Bush will fly on to Honolulu, where he will appear on behalf of a Republican congresswoman seeking a U.S. Senate seat. Bush will also meet with presidents or prime ministers of nine small Pacific island nations during his visit.

Bush canceled campaign appearances in Albuquerque, N.M., and Phoenix on Thursday, opting to remain in Washington while legislators put the final touches on the federal budget.

The President, whose departure from Washington was delayed by the budget battle, arrived at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday, about 1 1/2 hours behind schedule. His motorcade immediately departed for the Irvine Hyatt.

Bush is scheduled to embark next week on a campaign swing for Republicans in 10 states in a final campaign push before the Nov. 6 election.