Dubya

President Bush came to Wichita on Friday and I was part of the Associated Press team that covered his visit. He was here to visit a local Boys and Girls Club and then hob-knob at a fundraiser for Sen. Pat Roberts. Wherever the President goes, there is always a media presence at the airport to see Air Force 1 in and out of the city. So on Friday I was on airport duty and it wasn't too bad. Above, AF1 circles the landing strip, flying behind a giant American flag, before landing.


The President arrived early and the media relations folks at the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems plant were very accommodating, including a press room with snacks while we waited for Mr. Bush to return from his activities. Secret Service regulations required that all media covering the arrival and departure of AF1 remain in the secure area during the president's stay in town.


Regardless of your opinion about Mr. Bush – and he's arguably one of the most polarizing presidents in some time – it's always impressive to be within sight of the most powerful man in the world. I photographed Bush in 2004 when he visited the Brown V. Board Museum dedication in Topeka. The year before that, I photographed former President Jimmy Carter at the Dole Institute in Lawrence. It's exciting every time. To see a slideshow of images made from the top row of the media platform click here. -Mike