Sodrel to participate in Bush's rally

Republican congressional candidate Mike Sodrel said he expected a campaign boost when President Bush stumps for GOP candidates Friday in Kentucky.\nSodrel said he would take part in a campaign trip Bush is making Friday in Louisville, Ky. The president is expected to speak at a Republican rally at the Kentucky International Convention Center for Rep. Anne Northup, R-Ky., and other candidates.\nSodrel is looking to unseat Democratic Rep. Baron Hill in Indiana's 9th District, which covers much of the state's southeastern area.\nRepublican Party officials this week had said Bush might appear with Sodrel in Indiana, but the president will remain in Louisville during his trip.\nSodrel said he believed his participation in the Bush event showed the importance of his campaign.\n"It says the president does know where the 9th District is, and he does have some interest in this race," he said.\nBut Scott Downs, a spokesman for Hill's re-election campaign, said a presidential visit to Kentucky was less than a ringing endorsement for Sodrel.\n"Hoosiers are pretty independent-minded folks," he said. "I don't think they will base their vote on things like that"