Dole, whose own campaign floundered in October due to lack of money, told a cheering crowd of about 350 people at a restaurant that the GOP should rally to "another Western governor" in Bush, just as the party did in 1980 for Reagan, the former California chief executive.

Bush, she said, would be "just as bold at challenging the status quo. Just as resolved to restore pride in our institutions. Just as determined to be himself."

"In a word, he would innovate, not regulate," Dole added. "That's my kind of conservative."

Although she did not mention President Clinton's impeachment drama of last year, Dole said that "trust is the coin of the realm" in a democracy and added: "Lately, that trust has been tarnished."

Bush, who is frequently asked if he might choose Dole as a running mate, called her an "articulate and capable woman" and again referred to Reagan, whom she served as transportation secretary.

"Elizabeth, you have always said that you have been a lieutenant in Ronald Reagan's army. I am proud to have you as a general in mine," Bush said.

Asked directly about the possibility of choosing her as the GOP vice presidential candidate, Bush said, "First things first. It's important to have a strong woman like Elizabeth Dole standing by my side to help me win the primaries and the caucuses."

Dole, too, declined to be drawn into vice presidential speculation: "The governor has got to win the nomination and when he does the party is very fortunate to have a large number of very talented leaders with great experience from which he can choose."

After picking up Dole's endorsement four weeks before the New Hampshire primary, Bush headed to Iowa to stump for votes in advance of the Jan. 24 presidential caucuses there.

Meanwhile, Bush's chief rival for the 2000 GOP nomination, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, maintained his focus on New Hampshire with a nonstop schedule of town hall meetings. Today he was visiting Concord, Salem and Franklin.

Recent polls have shown McCain leading Bush in the state, although Bush maintains a sizable lead in national surveys.

"I'm excited to be here," Bush said Monday as he arrived at Manchester Airport, despite being greeted by a steady rain. "I thought I'd rather be fishing, but now that I'm on the ground, I'd rather be campaigning."

The governor pledged to focus on two issues: tax cuts and education reform, areas where he feels McCain has laid out inferior plans.

The endorsement by Dole was aimed at strengthening ties with female voters. That group traditionally has been a source of Democratic strength but has shown warmth toward Bush in polls.

"One of the things that Mrs. Dole worked hard to do was to recruit new faces and new voices to the Republican Party, and that's exactly what I'm attempting to do myself," Bush said in speaking of the former Red Cross president and two-time Cabinet member.

Bush's spokesman, Ari Fleischer, said the support of women in general and Dole in particular would show that the Republican Party no longer has a so-called gender gap.

"If George Bush is the nominee," Fleischer said, "the gender gap becomes a Democratic problem -- they will have a real problem with men."

Bush has proven his ability to draw female voters, getting 49 percent in his first gubernatorial race -- against a woman, Democratic Gov. Ann Richards -- and more than 60 percent in his 1998 re-election.

The stop in New Hampshire is part of a weeklong swing that also will take Bush to Iowa, South Carolina and Michigan, all early primary states.

The Michigan stop -- to participate in a debate Monday -- was added only hours before Bush left Texas for New Hampshire.

Howard Opinsky, McCain's spokesman, noted that Bush's decision to participate came on the same day the senator announced a $1 million campaign ad buy in vote-rich Michigan.

Bush's absence from some early debates in New Hampshire contributed to McCain's strong gains in polls there, Opinsky said, and he speculated it may have influenced the decision on the Michigan debate.

"I think clearly Senator McCain excelled and overtook Governor Bush because he was able to hold town hall forums and participate in several debates in New Hampshire," Opinsky said.

Bush had been scheduled to address the American Farm Bureau in Houston on Monday, but aides said he decided to debate after organizers said he could speak to the farmers by satellite.

The governor said he changed his plans after hearing the organizers were arranging "a real debate."

Noting that there are debates Thursday in New Hampshire, Friday in South Carolina and then Monday in Michigan, Bush quipped: "It will be three debates in five days, and I hope the American people can stand it."