Skipping Bush's Va. Speech Isn't a Snub, Kilgore Says

Kilgore and Bush have been political allies; Kilgore was Bush's Virginia campaign chairman last year when he handily carried the commonwealth on his way to reelection. Republicans declared Bush's victory proof that Gov. Mark R. Warner's victory in 2001 was a Democratic fluke in a reliably Republican commonwealth.

Kilgore's campaign manager directed the Bush campaign last year, and the president was the headliner at a July fundraiser for Kilgore in McLean that raised more than $2 million for the campaign.

Polls show that Bush is more popular in Virginia than nationally, but his numbers are far below those of Warner. Although the two were elected separately four years ago, Kaine and Warner have campaigned together extensively this fall, and Kaine has cast himself as the best person to carry on Warner's policies. The governor is barred by law from seeking reelection.

"People feel better about the way things are going in the state than they do about the way things are going in the country," said Kaine communications director Mo Elleithee. "Maybe Jerry Kilgore feels the same way."

Steve Jarding, a political consultant who managed Warner's campaign in 2001, said Kilgore could hurt himself among the Republican faithful if his decision is seen as a slight. "You don't run away from your president, no matter what problems he has," Jarding said.

Both Kaine and Kilgore are importing lots of politicians for rallies and fundraisers in the closing days of the campaign. Vice President Cheney and Laura Bush have held private fundraisers for Kilgore in the past two weeks, although White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove canceled his appearance before the Fairfax Republican Party in an event that featured the three GOP statewide candidates.

Former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani will appear at a luncheon for Kilgore today in Norfolk, and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is on tap next week.

Kaine counters today with a women's fundraiser with Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm, a "multicultural rally" with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and campaign events this weekend with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)

Staff writer Peter Baker contributed to this report.