Poor Laura Bush. The first lady spent Monday – her birthday – on a four-state trek before heading with President George W. Bush to their Crawford ranch where they will vote Tuesday.

The president spoke at a Republican rally in Moody Coliseum Monday night. He praised the Texas Republican ticket and encouraged audience members to vote.

“I hope all of Texas takes their obligation [to vote] serious,” he said.

Bush ended his intense effort to elect Republican governors and members of the House and Senate in Texas after working his way through Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas.

“I’ll be voting in Crawford tomorrow morning,” the president said. “I’m not undecided.”

Of all the candidates, Bush spoke most about the importance of electing John Cornyn to the Senate.

“It’s the right thing to do to put John Cornyn in the U.S. Senate,” he said. “I know him. I trust him. And we can do some things to make America better.”

Democrats and Republicans have their eyes on the closely divided Senate in which Democrats have barely held onto the majority. There are 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans and two Independent senators with Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura’s selection of Independent Dean Barkley as interim replacement for former Senator Paul Wellstone, who died late last month in the crash of a small plane.

Bush has met opposition from the Democrats over Supreme Court appointments, which he calls a “defining issue.” He also foresees trouble making last year’s tax cuts permanent.

“I need a Senator to stand strong on this issue (tax cuts),” he said, adding, “we need a Senate who will help me pass federal medical liability reform.”

Despite heavy security and screening, guards couldn’t keep protestors out in the rain. A group of seven interrupted the president’s speech with anti-war chants. Senior advertising major Jay Evans volunteered as a member of the rally squad, a group of Republican students stationed in the coliseum, that out-shouted the protestors with “USA! USA!” which the crowd quickly echoed.

Rita Whillock, corporate communications and public affairs chairwoman, attended the rally even though she does not vote Republican. Whillock teaches Public Opinion, the Press and Public Policy.

“I encourage my students to go, it’s rare they get to see the whole (political) event process,” she said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The chance to see possible future leaders drew a large crowd from the university and community.

Republican candidates present ranged from fifth-district congressman or comptroller to Lieutenant governor and senator.

Election Day is Tuesday.

Editor in Chief Kris Norvet contributed to this article

Click here for more pictures of President Bush and the protest on Mockingbird