President Bush to appear at Monticello on July 4

By Bryan McKenzie
Media General News Service
Published: June 27, 2008

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-5th District, 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.

- McKenzie is a staff writer for The Daily Progress in Charlottesville.