Bush coming to Monticello on July 4

The invitation was there and President Bush took them up on it.

Bush will be the featured speaker at Monticello’s annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony at the historic home of Thomas Jefferson.

He replaces documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, who agreed to defer to the president.

Thomas Jefferson Foundation officials offer a standing invitation to all sitting presidents to speak at the organization’s annual ceremony, officials said. Earlier this month, the phone rang.

“The White House called and indicated President Bush had an interest,” Daniel P. Jordan, Monticello’s executive director, said Friday. “They also understood that there were other arrangements in place and they didn’t push the issue in any way.”

Jordan said Monticello’s governing board approved the president’s request and that Burns was “gracious” in agreeing to bow out this year.

White House officials confirmed the presidential appointment, saying Bush is looking forward to visiting Jefferson’s home for the first time and welcoming newly minted Americans.

“On this anniversary of America’s independence, the president looks forward to visiting the home of an important Founding Father who drafted the Declaration of Independence and to welcoming our newest American citizens,” said Blair Jones, White House spokesman.

Bush will be the fourth sitting president to take the foundation up on its standing offer. The others were Gerald Ford, Harry S. Truman and Franklin D. Roosevelt, according to Monticello officials.

Area officials greeted the news with surprise, concern and canceled vacations.

Albemarle County Republican Party Committee Chairman Christian Schoenewald said he was surprised and excited by the announcement. He said the local party likely would have a limited presence at the event because of previous engagements in Scottsville, Free Union and Crozet.

Those events feature U.S. Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount, as well as Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle County.“The Monticello event is not about politics,” Schoenewald said. “It’s about the nation, about history and becoming an American and it’s not something we want, as Republicans, to politicize,” Schoenewald said. “It’d be great to attend, but not as an organized political event.”

David Swanson, a Democratic activist, local political blogger, Iraq War opponent and staunch critic of Bush, is excited about the president’s appearance as well. He called for people to attend the ceremony in protest of Bush and his policies.

“I encourage you to attend the event. Go early. Wear an impeachment shirt. And bring a copy of our poor abused Constitution,” Swanson wrote on his blog.

For local law enforcement, the president’s visit likely will prove a manpower-intensive effort. Exactly how much manpower is needed is not yet known.

“We will be meeting with the Secret Service and the White House to determine what needs to be done,” said John Miller, Albemarle County police chief. “A lot depends on how the president will arrive at Monticello and whether we need officers for traffic control or not.”

In the past, presidents visiting Charlottesville have arrived at the regional airport and traveled in a motorcade. They’ve also arrived at Monticello via helicopter.

Miller said it takes plenty of manpower for police to provide security for a visiting president.

“We work well together with [Charlottesville] police and [University of Virginia] police and help each other out when we have these events,” Miller said. “You need teamwork.”

For local police officers, the president’s visit may mean canceled vacations.

“We need to make sure we have the manpower necessary to provide security, so we’ve canceled leave over the weekend,” Miller said. “That’s hard on officers who had made plans, but we don’t have much choice.”

For Jordan and the Monticello staff, however, the president’s arrival is pure excitement.

“It’s like being in the [National Football League] and finding yourself playing in the Super Bowl,” Jordan said. “We’re looking forward to it.”