Some activists say protests will erupt if president speaks

If President Bush accepts an invitation to speak at the UA commencement in May, it will surprise the man who invited him and spark protests from students who oppose Bush's politics.

President Peter Likins, who invited Bush last week, pointed out Friday that the UA is one of many universities extending an invitation to Bush, and said the odds of Bush accepting are remote.

Asked if he expected Bush to accept, Likins responded, "No, I do not."

Likins had already asked former Wildcat basketball star Steve Kerr to keep May 15, the date of commencement, free. And as of Friday afternoon, he hadn't warned Kerr that he had also invited Bush.

If Bush accepts, he will likely be met by protesters from liberal student groups across campus. Students have already expressed interest in organizing against a Bush visit, said Rachel Wilson, a first-year law student and longtime anti-war activist.

Almost immediately after hearing last week that Bush had been invited, Wilson began contacting fellow activists. She has already begun planning protests.

"We don't think it's a good idea to invite someone here to tell us lies," she said. "I think Bush isn't exactly a model of academic excellence."

If protesters weren't determined a threat to the president or other visitors, they would likely be allowed to protest without many more restrictions than they would normally have, said UAPD Sgt. Eugene Mejia.

But commencement visitors might experience tighter security measures than at typical ceremonies, when McKale Center's doors are open to anybody, Mejia said.

Wilson recalled that in 1999, when then-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright spoke at the UA commencement, protesters were allowed into McKale Center, though they did have to pass through security.

Wilson emphasized that if Bush came, protesters' tactics would be peaceful, though she did say she'd continue a long-standing UA commencement tradition of tortilla tossing.

"If he does come, I'll be there with my tortillas," she said.

At every commencement, Likins pleads with graduates not to throw tortillas, but they usually fly anyway. He said Albright didn't mind the barrage, but wasn't sure a presidential visit would prompt the same calm response.

"I'm not sure the Secret Service would be as comfortable," he said.

Pete Seat, president of the College Republicans, said he'd welcome the president and that his organization would rally in his support.

"You have to realize that if the president of the United States is willing to come to give a commencement address, that is a high honor," Seat said.

Seat pointed out that Bush graduated from Yale University, and said he hoped the president would talk about how his education allowed him to help others.

Student body President J.P. Benedict said he hoped the political overtones of such a speech wouldn't outweigh the honor of having a sitting U.S. president speak at commencement.

"I think that would be amazing," Benedict said. "Regardless of political affiliation, to have the president of the United States there at commencement - I think that would be awesome."

Benedict had already given Likins a list of potential commencement speakers he'd like to see, but didn't include Bush on the list.

"I didn't even consider that," he said. "I thought it was too high and too above what we could request."

In recent years, UA commencement speakers have reflected a wide range of political ideologies. Last year, Gov. Janet Napolitano spoke at one ceremony and Republican Sen. Jon Kyl spoke at the other.

A Bush speech could also force the university to consolidate its two graduation ceremonies into one.

Likins extended the invitation to Bush last week after the White House sent signals through a faculty member connected with the White House that Bush would welcome an invitation from the UA. Likins declined Friday to identify the faculty member.

He expects to hear back from the White House in April.

Political analysts have identified Arizona, which carries 10 electoral votes, as a potential swing state in this year's election. Bush won Arizona in 2000 with 51 percent of the vote.