DES MOINES – President Bush on Tuesday touted Iowa’s role in spurring the nation’s renewable fuels industry in a speech that raised more than $1 million for U.S. Rep. Jim Nussle’s bid for governor.

Bush, speaking at a fundraiser dinner in downtown Des Moines, credited Nussle with convincing him that alternative energy sources should be promoted. Bush has included research dollars in his budget proposal to expand renewable energy programs.

“We’ve got to get off of Mideastern oil and the best way to do so is with Iowa corn,” Bush said. “I’m looking forward to working with this governor.”

Bush’s visit to Iowa was brief and included a short stop at a senior citizens center to tout his prescription drug plan. Afterward he appeared at the Nussle fundraiser before heading to the airport.

Bush called Nussle a loyal ally in Congress who has served as House Budget Committee chairman and made difficult choices to limit government spending.

“I’ve got to see him when it comes time to spend money,” Bush said. “We have had some lean budgets in Washington, D.C., because we want to cut the federal deficit in half.”

Democrats routinely target Nussle on that issue, noting how the nation’s deficit has mushroomed while he helped write federal budgets.

Bush said the only alternative to slashing federal spending is a tax increase, which he said he will not accept.

Three of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates held counter-events Tuesday aimed at drawing attention to Nussle’s posh dinner event – which cost up to $500 to attend.

Secretary of State Chet Culver, former Congressman Mike Blouin and state Rep. Ed Fallon attended soup kitchens where minimal fees were charged for soup. The Democratic candidates said the proceeds would go to free kitchens across the state, though they noted it would not compare to the large amount of money raised by Nussle Tuesday.

“The point is the contrast,” said Blouin spokesman Matt Paul, adding that Blouin and the other Democratic candidates were raising money for the hungry while Nussle was collecting big dollars from wealthy donors.

The costly dinner increased what was already a substantial financial edge for Nussle over his opponents.