ALPINE, Calif. -- Joined by the winner and loser in California's recall election, President Bush witnessed firsthand Tuesday a state devastated by fires that left over 20 dead and a trail of burned-out houses and blackened hills.\n"We've seen the worst of nature," Bush told firefighters, but the "absolute best of mankind."\nIn a speech to firefighters and other emergency workers, Bush marveled at the "massive amount of destruction."\n"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.\n"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.\nFrom 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.\nThe 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.\nIn the charred, undeveloped areas, the only sign of human activity that Bush could witness was the fresh bulldozer tracks, although he also caught glimpses of some of the fires that still burn on there.\nBush 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."\nBush did not announce any additional federal aid for the region. The federal government has already extended more than $3 million in assistance to the especially hard-hit communities in Southern California.\nDavis 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.\nBush 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.\nBush lost California to then-Vice President Al Gore in 2000, and the White House would like to get it in his column next year.\nAt 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.\nBush-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.\nIt was Bush's 10th visit to California as president.
