California's Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is receiving some high-profile help in raising cash Thursday as former U.S. President George Bush headlines fund-raisers for him in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley.

The former president is expected to be the "special guest" at both events, where a 100,000-dollar platinum sponsorship entitles a donor to head-table seating for two, premiere seating for 10 and six photos with the governor and former president -- two people per photo.

The luncheon is hosted by upscale shopping center developer Rick Caruso and his wife, Tina, while the evening event would be at the home of prominent Republican donor Katie Boyd.

Schwarzenegger has studiously distanced himself from the current President Bush lately, but he and the elder Bush have enjoyed a warm relationship for years.

When the former Hollywood action hero, who served as the chairman of the former president's physical fitness council, considered jumping into the 2003 recall election in California, Bush reportedly sent him a letter that concluded, "Run Arnold, run. "

"The governor is very much looking forward to welcoming former President Bush back to California, and he's grateful for his support," said Schwarzenegger campaign spokeswoman Katie Levinson.

He plans to collect 75 million dollars for his re-election bid, with the help of Republican heavyweights including Bush and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Democrat gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides, the incumbent state treasurer who hopes to deny Schwarzenegger a second term, is bringing out his party's luminaries for fund-raising help too.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton headlined a 1,000-per-person breakfast for Angelides earlier this month, and former President Bill Clinton will be the key guest at a fundraising dinner for him in Los Angeles on August 1.

Both Schwarzenegger and Angelides have said they are interested in campaign finance reform, but analysts said neither has done anything about it while raising money hand over fist at glitzy fund-raisers.

Schwarzenegger said Wednesday that he wanted to rid the influence of money in politics, and Angelides, who will also appear in Los Angeles Thursday, is expected to highlight what he considers Schwarzenegger's coziness with the Bush family and the oil industry.

Source: Xinhua