In a presidential election year, all trips by candidates are carefully planned. And President Bush couldn't have picked a better place to visit immediately after his Democratic opponent's nomination hoopla than Utah - which always welcomes Republicans.
Bush arrives Friday afternoon and speaks Saturday to selected outdoor enthusiasts in a question-and-answer session at Red Butte Gardens on the University of Utah campus. He'll then fly by helicopter to Provo and address an expected large crowd in Brigham Young University's Marriott Center. His speech will be about family values and is not supposed to be political.Bush also will meet with about 20 important Utah Republicans, men and women who give $5,000 to the state party each year to be part of the Golden Elephant Club.
It just so happens that Bush's visit coincides with the payment of yearly dues to the "club." Those meeting for about 40 minutes with Bush Friday evening in the Marriott Hotel - a very private briefing - will be asked to kick in another $5,000, GOP sources said. The $100,000 will be greatly appreciated by the state party. And that's $100,000 with little loss since the golden elephants don't even get a dinner - just a meeting with Bush.
When Bush came last September for an official state GOP fund-raiser, about $200,000 was raised. But the event cost a lot to put on, netting only about $150,000.
When national Republican candidates are a bit down in the mouth, it's always nice to visit Utah.
Remember 1988. When then-vice presidential nominee Dan Quayle was being bludgeoned in the press following his surprise selection at the GOP national convention in New Orleans, he was considered by Bush campaign managers as too damaged to do much politicking.
So Quayle was sent to Utah, where he was almost assured of a polite, even enthusiastic, reception. And he got one. Quayle has since been back a number of times, and with each new visit he gets a better welcome.
Bush certainly isn't crippled like Quayle was in 1988. But with Bill Clinton's bounce in the polls following his successes at the Democratic National Convention this week, the president's men do want him in places where he'll be well received and his visit appreciated.
Put another way, Bush isn't visiting South Central Los Angeles this week - he's coming to Utah.
Bush campaigned Friday morning at a GOP fund-raising picnic in Jackson Hole, Wyo., before heading to Salt Lake City. Bush has spent the past several days fishing at Secretary of State James Baker's ranch. Air Force One was due to arrive in Salt Lake City about 1:30 p.m.