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ST. PETERSBURG - Underscoring the importance of the Tampa Bay area, President Bush is coming to town for the second time this week.
Bush is scheduled to return tonight for a private fundraiser at the Snell Isle home of investor Jim MacDougald. The event, which will be attended by Laura Bush, is expected to raise about $1-million for the Florida Republican Party. Bush will spend the night in St. Pete Beach and campaign Saturday in Lakeland, Fort Myers, Melbourne and Jacksonville. He campaigned in Pinellas and Pasco counties on Tuesday.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, one of the Pinellas County co-chairmen of Bush's re-election campaign, said the visits show how important Florida has become during this election.
"Obviously, it continues to demonstrate how significant both sides see St. Petersburg as the anchor of the Interstate 4 corridor," Baker said.
Bush is scheduled to land at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport at 5:25 p.m. The fundraiser is set to start shortly after 6 p.m.
John Joyce, special agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service office in Tampa, said he could not disclose Bush's motorcade route for security reasons. Traffic delays will be kept to a minimum, he said.
St. Petersburg police spokesman Bill Proffitt said a section of Brightwaters Boulevard NE on Snell Isle will be closed during the president's visit. Only residents who live in the immediate area will be allowed to pass.
"There will be very brief intersection closures as the motorcade comes into the city and goes out there, and as he leaves," Proffitt said.