By Scott Lindlaw
The Associated Press

PADUCAH, Ky. - In a 131/2-hour campaign marathon, President Bush barnstormed through Kentucky and Mississippi on Saturday to boost Republicans running for governor and cement his own support in the South.

At a rally in Southaven, Miss., Bush received an emotional lift from adoring crowds a world away from Washington, where grim news on Iraq has dogged him for weeks. "You've energized me," Bush told the hand-picked audience of thousands.

The president's trip was meant to promote the GOP candidates for governor in Mississippi and Kentucky, Haley Barbour and Rep. Ernie Fletcher.

Both are in tight races with Democratic rivals, Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and Kentucky Attorney General Ben Chandler, ahead of Tuesday's elections.

Political activists and analysts view the votes as tests of Bush's support. He won both states easily in 2000. Losses by the Republicans would call into question his political strength.

Bush sprinkled his speeches with Southern color, his Texas accent growing thicker as he stumped.

Barbour, Bush said, "used to run in high circles" in Mississippi. "I guess in this part of the world, you say he used to pick high cotton."

The crowd laughed and cheered.

At both of Bush's first two stops, crowds chanted "four more years!" when Bush took the stage.

In Paducah, Bush responded: "It's actually three more days - three more days until Ernie Fletcher becomes the governor of Kentucky!"

He promised that he would answer the phone should Gov. Fletcher call.

"There's no doubt in my mind he is the best candidate for the job," Bush said of Fletcher.