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Bush's backing

President Bush, in previewing tomorrow's inaugural speech during a private session yesterday with the full 165-member Republican National Committee, sent a clear signal that he backs pro-choice JoAnn Davidson of Ohio for the post of RNC co-chairman.

"He talked about the importance of the national committee's electing Ken Mehlman as national chairman and JoAnn Davidson as co-chairman. He said they were philosophically attuned," California RNC member Tim Morgan told reporter Ralph Z. Hallow of The Washington Times after the meeting.

"He cited her role in working with volunteers" for Mr. Bush's campaign in Ohio, Mr. Morgan said.

"I have received 45 e-mails just in the last 20 hours from pro-life folks not on the committee," Mr. Morgan added. "They're complaining the president isn't keeping faith with pro-life voters."

Mr. Mehlman, highly popular with the RNC members, managed Mr. Bush's presidential re-election campaign, and Mrs. Davidson, a former state House speaker, was a regional chairman. The RNC votes today.

On a lighter note, Mr. Bush pledged his inaugural address would be brief.

"You'll be relieved to know my speech won't be too long," Mr. Bush said with a wink and a smile, according to other Republican officials who attended the meeting.

At one point, after discussing the philosophical merits of his proposed Social Security reforms, Mr. Bush paused and said, "I may be getting too far into the weeds."

Standing nearby, his wife, Laura, nodded and laughed, whereupon Mr. Bush said, "I guess we'll be getting out of here pretty quick."