President Bush stopped by Livonia Wednesday evening to raise money for vulnerable Republican Reps. Joe Knollenberg and Tim Walberg, among others, though the two opted to stay in Washington, D.C., during his trip.

Bush was scheduled to make remarks at the Max M. Fisher National Republican Leadership Award Dinner, according to his public schedule. The event was in Rep. Thaddeus McCotter’s (R) district.

McCotter was scheduled to attend the event, along with Rep. Pete Hoekstra, according to Michigan Republican Party spokesman Bill Nowling. Spokesmen for Knollenberg and Walberg said they were scheduled to be in Washington on Wednesday evening.

Tickets cost $1,000 per person for the dinner and $5,000 for a photo with the president, according to Nowling, with all of the profits benefiting the 2008 Victory Program in Michigan. The GOP hoped to raise $500,000 to $750,000 from the more than 350 people who planned to attend.

A spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Ryan Rudominer, released a statement chastising Knollenberg and Walberg for their link to Bush.

“With gas prices at $4.07, Michigan families cannot afford two more years of Reps. Knollenberg and Walberg’s support for President Bush’s failed energy policies that protect Big Oil special interests,” Rudominer said.