Bush coming to Maine for weekend stay

BLAINE, Minn. – President Bush changed his weekend schedule Thursday, delaying appearances in New Hampshire to inspect hurricane damage in Florida and Alabama, but holding plans to stay at his family’s home in Maine.

Bush will arrive in Kennebunkport today and leave Sunday. He will skip a NASCAR race and a campaign appearance in New Hampshire on Sunday, but plans to make up the Derry, N.H., event on Monday, said White House press secretary Scott McClellan.

Campaigning in Minnesota, Bush said he talked earlier in the day with Federal Emergency Management Agency director Michael Brown. Bush signed disaster declarations for Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida.

Bush also spoke to his brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and to Alabama Gov. Bob Riley by phone from his bus while he was campaigning. The president made three trips to Florida to comfort residents after earlier storms.

At least 12 deaths were blamed on Hurricane Ivan after it slammed ashore on the Gulf Coast in Alabama, threatening communities from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.