About a dozen Republicans demonstrated outside the venue of a Democratic candidate fundraiser that hosted U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., in Palm Desert on Saturday.

Democrat Julie Bornstein, who is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, for the 45th congressional District seat, shook hands and chatted with Republicans carrying McCain-Palin signs before her fundraiser.

“Thank you for stopping by,“ Bornstein told them. “It's important for people to be a part of the political process.”

Members of the Republican group insisted they were not protesting the fundraiser.

“This is purely a Republican welcome to Senator Boxer and Julie Bornstein,” said Drew Sweatte, who organized the event.

“We're here to show them this is Republican country.”

After the Feb. 5 superprimary, Democrats in the Coachella Valley accounted for 38 percent of registered voters and Republicans 44 percent.

Passing cars honked and waved while some offered less than welcoming hand gestures.

About 200 people attended the fundraiser.

Boxer, in her speech, called Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate, unfit for the office.

She also mentioned the Wall Street bailout, attributing the stock market's meltdown to the Bush administration's “feverish deregulations.”

She then touted Bornstein's experience in the state Assembly and her time as director of the California Department of Housing under Gov. Gray Davis.

“If ever this was a time to have Julie Bornstein in Congress, this is the moment,” Boxer said.

Bornstein criticized what she called Bono Mack's partisan voting record and nonattendance at candidate forums, calling, again, for a debate.

“If you notice, Mary Bono Mack is not very noticeable except in her television ads,” Bornstein said.

The Republican candidate did not debate her last opponent, David Roth, either.

Bono Mack's campaign staff could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Ruthee Goldkorn, of Moreno Valley, said she was wowed by Boxer and Bornstein, but was disappointed to learn Bono Mack had not attended candidate forums.

“I'm surprised that Mrs. (Bono) Mack is dodging constituents,” Goldkorn said.

Sandra Stone, president of the Democratic Women of the Desert, which hosted the fundraiser, said she was pleased with the turnout.

“I think it's fantastic we had such a large, diverse group on a Saturday evening in October when there are plenty of (competing) events,” Stone said.