Dems expect gains from Obama’s Texas trip

President Obama will get a Texas twofer next month when he headlines the Presidential Forum on Service at former President George H.W. Bush’s library — a bipartisan photo-op plus a chance to aid state Democrats itching for national political relevance.

Texas Democrats — bolstered by party officials who think the Lone Star State is within reach — say Mr. Obama’s Oct. 16 visit to Texas A&M University will energize volunteers working to win back the Statehouse.

“There’s good reason to believe Republicans won’t be able to take Texas for granted like they have in the past,” said Kirsten Gray, spokeswoman for the Texas Democrats.

Texas Republicans aren’t real happy Mr. Obama’s heading to their turf, especially for an event that will put him alongside one of the state’s favorite sons — Mr. Bush — and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, a Republican and one-time president of Texas A&M whom Mr. Obama kept in his Cabinet.

“We do understand the actual purpose of his visit is nonpolitical, and we hope he keeps to that, but [Mr. Obama] tends to politicize everything he touches,” said Bryan Preston, a spokesman for the Texas Republican Party.

“This is a chance to deliver a message to him personally — hands off Texas. I’m not one to dance around semantics, it will be a protest.”

The forum marks the 20th anniversary of Mr. Bush’s inaugural address and call to action that led to the Points of Light Institute, the country’s largest volunteer-management and civic-engagement organization.

Points of Light Foundation Chief Executive Officer Michelle Nunn said Mr. Bush invited the new president to attend because they share a “deep passion” for service.

“There are many things that unite us, and President Bush and President Obama coming together will symbolize that in a powerful way in a time when the country is looking for that bipartisan leadership and message,” Ms. Nunn said.

An invitation says the forum aims to “engage the audience to share their inspiration and ideas for innovation in volunteerism while creating momentum and excitement for the service movement around the country.”

Tony Fratto, who served as a George W. Bush deputy press secretary, said presidents often choose one signature issue with potential for bipartisanship. His former boss was widely recognized for putting partisanship aside for his AIDS, initiative, the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief.

Mr. Obama has been smart to make service his key issue, Mr. Fratto said.

“Presidents always want to have something to brandish bipartisan credentials,” he said, “and with Obama, it’s clear that on very big policy issues there is not a sincere bipartisan effort going on.”

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the president has long admired Mr. Bush and they share the belief that “serving one’s community is a core American value which transcends the partisanship that too often dominates public life in Washington.”

Some of Mr. Obama’s first actions were creating a United We Serve project and signing a new law that dramatically expanded national service.

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