From today's Washington Post, "Bush Tries to Boost Environment Image":

President Bush today opened a three-week drive to bolster his environmental image by drawing attention to conservationist elements of White House policies embraced by the oil, gas and logging industries.

Republican strategists said the swing through the West is designed as insurance against expected campaign portrayals of Bush as a negligent steward of the air, water and land....

Bush's mountaintop visit today, and his three upcoming environmental events, were staged in connection with campaign fundraisers. Bush carried Arizona by 6 points, but he has slipped in recent polls there. He lost Oregon by less than half a percentage point and lost Washington by 5 points. Karl Rove, Bush's senior adviser, has singled out both states as likely to be in play next year.

A member of Bush's campaign team, who declined to be named, called the environmental tour "vintage Rove -- take it to the other guy, and close as many gaps as you possibly can."

Another member of Bush's team said the focus on what GOP strategists call a "second-tier issue," or one that is not among those most likely to motivate voters, shows the flexibility Bush has because of his popularity with his base voters and his ease in raising money.