Bush visit caps valley push

The competitiveness plan that President Bush is touting today in San Jose was largely the brainchild of Silicon Valley leaders. So, when he talks to 250 high-tech leaders and workers at Cisco Systems this afternoon, it's more than a presidential visit -- it's recognition that Silicon Valley has gained more influence than ever in his administration.

``He cribbed from our innovation agenda,'' House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said in San Francisco this week, adding that Bush isn't putting enough money into basic education and is ignoring other key issues, such as investing in broadband technology.

For Bush, whose public approval ratings are at the lowest levels of his presidency nationwide and in California, Cisco may prove a safe haven, at least on the inside. Chambers has been a huge financial contributor to Bush.

But anti-war protesters are planning to carpool from as far away as San Francisco to meet the president's motorcade at Cisco and another protest is planned at Stanford University. An immigrant rights news conference, originally set for Thursday in downtown San Jose, was moved to today, in front of Cisco headquarters.

See also THIS thread:

President Bush's California Itinerary
[Protesters Plan To Follow Bush: April 21-24, 2006]
President Bush's California Itinerary ^ | April 21, 2005 | CBS News
Posted on 04/21/2006 9:55:24 AM PDT by RonDog

Apr 20, 2006 7:28 am US/Pacific
President Bush's California Itinerary
President Bush begins his four-day visit to California today. Here is his schedule.

FRIDAY (4/21)
Visits Cisco Systems in San Jose and talks with Silicon Valley executives about the American Competitiveness Initiative. After this even is when Governor schwarzenegger says he'll make a direct appeal to the president for federal help to repair the state's levees.

SATURDAY (4/22)
Tours the California Fuel Cell Partnership in West Sacramento, speaks on advanced transportation technology.
Attends a Republican National Committee fundraiser in Palm Springs.

SUNDAY (4/23)
Attends church service and has lunch with troops at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms.

MONDAY (4/24)
More events possible.

CLICK HERE for the rest of that thread

I work here at Cisco and the campus is pretty much dead today. The word yesterday to the employees was telecommute if at all possible. I get to leave at 12:00 and knock off for the day. It's going to be a big ta-do. They have streets blocked off, monitors in the parking lots, and buildings evacuated. I'm sure this is just another visit for the president's people.

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