After joking around with President Bush last month during a town hall forum on strengthening Social Security, the 27-year-old McCornick farmer got an invitation to sit in first lady Laura Bush's private box of seats during Wednesday night's State of the Union speech.

''I asked them why they wanted me back and they said, 'You just left an impression on him and he thought you were a pretty good guy,' '' Wright said after leaving the Capitol following the speech. ''They called me when I was out pushing feed. Every time they call, there's cows bellowing in the background.''

Bush has used Wright as an example of the younger generation whose future benefits from Social Security may be in jeopardy due to expected shortfalls. Wright's father is former state Republican Sen. Bill Wright and his father-in-law is former Utah House Speaker Marty Stephens, but he said political connections didn't play a role in his selection.

"Everybody thinks that's how it happened but it was actually suggested through the brother of a kid I wrestled against who's a lobbyist for a group called Freedom Works,'' a grass-roots organization which is advocating personal retirement accounts, said Wright.

Wright, his wife, Melanie, and some family members were treated to a White House reception and tour before Wednesday's speech and were allowed to "borrow a handful of White House towels" as mementos. Then he met briefly with Bush after the speech.

"He's just a very personal guy and I fully support him in this effort," said Wright, a fifth-generation farmer. "He asked me again who was milking the cows and I told obviously not me because I'm out here so much lately."

Click here to read full text of State of the Union Address

Click here to read Democratic response to State of the Union Address