President George W. Bush, heading to his Texas ranch, is taking the shortest summer vacation of his presidency amid violence in the Middle East and an uncertain future for his Republican Party in autumn elections. Bush left Washington on Thursday, but will return nine days later to address foreign and domestic problems. White House spokesman Tony Snow said Bush will travel frequently during August in contrast to previous summers when the president has spent more time at his Crawford ranch. The White House says Bush will continue to be involved in problems in the Middle East and elsewhere. “My guess is he's going to be working pretty hard,” Snow said. “This is not something where he's simply going to be … ignoring the realities of the situation.” Snow described Bush's trip to Crawford as the president's only “extended stay” this August.
