Washington ? As President Bush prepares for another August in Crawford, aides are quick to argue that this is not repeat not the “monthlong vacation” that is frequently reported.

Bush plans to spend about half the month at public events, either pushing Republican candidates or speaking out on the economy and the war on terrorism, two issues that have come to define his presidency.

White House aides are particularly sensitive to appearances this year, saying critics distorted the nature of Bush’s vacation last year, one that included major decisions on stem cell research and military policy.

It was also during that month that Bush received a briefing that raised the possibility of terrorists hijacking airplanes, as happened Sept. 11. Bush aides angrily denied suggestions that the ranch setting somehow reduced the president’s focus, calling the warning very general in nature.

When all is said and done, Bush will probably have about two weeks of actual vacation time.

Some political analysts note that Congress is also taking August off.