If the schedule stays firm, Bush would make his second visit to the state since first elected in 2000. Bush's first visit as president was during the Opening Ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Veterans of Foreign Wars spokesman Jerry Newberry wouldn't confirm the president's visit, but acknowledged the group has invited Bush to speak during its Aug. 20-25 convention.

"That's something we traditionally do: invite the president of the United States to every convention," Newberry said.

Bush has spoken to the group's past three conventions.

White House spokesman Ken Lasias also declined to confirm the trip, noting that schedules are only given out a week ahead because events change so often. "A lot of these things remain fluid," he said.

The White House always has been guarded with the president's schedule for security reasons, even more so since Sept. 11, 2001.

Tentative or not, the prospect of a presidential visit has Utah's National Republican Committeeman Winston Wilkinson fired up.

"I'm excited," he said. "It's been hard to get the president out here. The Republicans work very hard in the state and to see our commander in chief is a rare opportunity. It's nice of him to come out and visit."

Utah House Majority Leader Jeff Alexander said he was thrilled as well.

"Of course we're excited," Alexander said. "I would think everyone would be. It doesn't get to happen very often. We'd love to have the president in Utah."

It's unclear whether the president will hold any fund-raisers in the GOP-dominated state, which gave him his biggest margin of victory in the 2000 and 2004 elections. The president likely would be speaking to the VFW on August 22 or 23 at the Salt Palace.

tburr@sltrib.com