Bush hoping for a boost with trip to ideal locale

WASHINGTON — Speaking to one of the country's largest veterans organizations is not unusual for President Bush, but the timing — and location of his speech in Salt Lake City — is almost too perfect as the November election creeps closer.

Bush is set to speak Thursday at the American Legion Convention in Salt Lake City, and while several planned protests will make sure those unhappy with the president or the war in Iraq get a chance to speak their mind, the commander-in-chief is likely to have a captive audience at the Salt Palace Convention Center in a strongly Republican state.

"The president believes the American Legion is one of America's great organizations, and he looks forward to addressing these veterans who served our country," White House spokesman Peter Watkins said.

This is an official visit — the president accepted an invitation from the Legion — but it is "absolutely" appropriate to read between the lines a little in looking at how and why he is here, said Josh Gold, an assistant professor of political science at Salt Lake Community College.

"It makes for really good pictures on the news," Gold said. "It's about image management."

Gold said Bush's approval ratings are down, so the president speaking to a group of veterans in Utah is a safe bet.

"Go to a place where you are welcome," Gold said. "Utah's a very conservative state, and it is always nice to be with people of like mind."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld precede Bush's visit by two days and are scheduled to address the same convention today.

Lewis Wolfson, director of American University's "Dialogue with the Press" and an expert on the presidency and communication, said their presence factors into the notion that Bush's appearance could coincide "with developing a new policy or a new strategy."

Gold said Rice's and Rumsfeld's appearances are a good way to show the veterans, and the country, that they are "unified" on the war. "It shows there are no divisions," Gold said.

Frank Guliuzza, chairman of the political science department at Weber State University, said he expects the speech to serve as a "kick-off" for the administration's position on the war that will carry through the November election. He said it will be interesting to see if there is a bounce in poll numbers for Republican candidates and incumbents, or if it comes off as a "dud."

Deseret Morning News graphic Presidential visits Requires Adobe Acrobat.

Guliuzza, who is a former vice chairman of the Utah Republican Party, said he did not know if there was much more to Bush's visit than "a very good audience in a good location."