WASHINGTON - President Bush praised Maryland Republican Rep. Constance A. Morella yesterday as an "independent soul" with a respected voice in Congress, throwing his weight behind her campaign and affirming the importance the Republican Party has placed on winning the fight to retain her House seat.

The public embrace by Bush is unusual for Morella, one of the most liberal Republicans in the House, who downplays her party ties in her left-of-center Montgomery County district. Facing a tough race, she accepted Bush's offer of help, the first time a president has campaigned for her during her eight-term congressional career.

The event, a Morella fund-raiser at a Washington hotel ballroom, was not typical for Bush, either. He has appeared at only three other fund-raisers for individual GOP House members this year - none of whom has the record of opposing the party that Morella does.

Both politicians managed to avoid signs of awkwardness. Bush, who opened a $30 million GOP fund-raiser this month by trumpeting his hopes for a future with a Republican-controlled House and Senate, offered praise for Morella in language that avoided references to her moderate-to-liberal political coloration.

"She's a highly intellectual person who is with you if she thinks you're right, and is gracious enough to explain to you ... when you're wrong," Bush said. "I like to tell people, when you find somebody who's good and decent and honorable, you have a civic duty to make sure that that person remains in the halls of Congress."

Morella's longtime hold on the House seat has been imperiled this year because of congressional redistricting controlled by Democrats, who redrew the political map to enhance their party's strength.

Republicans hold a narrow five-vote margin in the House, but Democrats see an opportunity to reclaim control. A big part of their game plan is seizing the seat held by the 71-year-old Morella.

Atypical Republican

Morella, asked about the conservative president's participation at the fund-raiser, told reporters that Bush and her constituents understand she is not a typical Republican. "After 16 years, if they don't know me, they'll never know me," she said.

Thanks to Bush's efforts, the campaign says, it brought in $400,000 with the $1,000-a-plate fund-raiser. Before tucking into sea bass and chicken entrees, donors scurried past red-white-and-blue flower arrangements for a chance to shake the president's hand.

Two well-funded Democratic state legislators are competing for the chance to challenge Morella. Del. Mark K. Shriver, a nephew of former President John F. Kennedy and a cousin of Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, reported raising $1.67 million - more than twice as much as Morella - when the most recent campaign finance reports were filed in March.

Van Hollen coffers

Another Democrat, state Sen. Christopher Van Hollen Jr., also outpaced Morella in the money sweepstakes, reporting $847,010 to her $718,200. Democrats with less money are also running against her, including former Clinton administration trade official Ira Shapiro.

Those candidates accused Morella yesterday of cozying up to the White House - noting her vote yesterday for a Republican-backed prescription drug plan for seniors - and said the president's appearance at her fund-raiser proves she is growing less politically independent.

"Connie Morella voted with the drug companies against the prescription drug plan that would benefit seniors, so she's clearly being rewarded for embracing the Republican agenda," said Van Hollen. "Morella's always tried to run without the party label, and now she's clearly fully embracing the Republican Party."

Morella argued that the Democratic prescription drug plan was unrealistically expensive and accused congressional Democrats of failing to propose a fiscally sound alternative.

"Connie Morella's voting the wrong way more and more," said Shriver. "I think she realizes she's got very strong competition, and the people who are going to support her are large, monied interests and people supporting the Republican leadership."

Presidential energy

Inside the ballroom, Morella's supporters said the appearance by the president left them feeling excited about the campaign ahead.

"The energy he exudes, it just translates to us," said Carol Trawick, who owns an information technology business in Bethesda. "The president of the United States is saying Connie Morella is a person you can work with - that's very powerful."

Still, those at the fund-raiser were not typical of her district, which threw 60 percent of its vote behind Bush's Democratic opponent, Al Gore, in the 2000 election.

"You're not going to find Democrats around here, not at $1,000 a ticket," said Maggie Fanning, 79, a retiree from Silver Spring who deemed the event a success.

"I thought Bush was wonderful, and I shook his hand," she said. "Twice."