The topic of President George W. Bush's speech, which he will deliver to an invitation-only crowd in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, has changed.

An official for the campaign said Monday that Bush would focus on "more general remarks" rather than medical liability reform, as was initially scheduled.

The official said the president might still touch on medical malpractice, but the majority of his speech would be on the war on terror and the economy.

He did not offer a reason why the decision was made.

Bush is scheduled to speak to an invited group at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Public Square at 10:10 a.m.

The campaign said that it was too early to put a number on how many people are expected to attend.

Mark Pfeifle, spokesman for the Republican National Committee in Pennsylvania, said local Republican organizations are in charge of handing out invitations for the event.

"This is going to be a significant speech on winning the war on terror and the economy," said Pfeifle of the president's upcoming remarks in Wilkes-Barre.

Pfeifle also didn't give a specific reason why the topic was changed, only saying Bush, in the speech, would clearly lay out the differences between him and his Democratic opponent, Sen. John Kerry.

He added that the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area was a high target in the campaign's attempt to win Pennsylvania's coveted 21 electoral votes.

"There is no more important area than Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for getting out the vote for the president," said Pfeifle.

President Bush's visit is expected to create some inconvenience to travelers and residents in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

City police are advising that Public Square and all connecting streets, particularly Main and Market, will be closed to vehicular traffic from approximately 8 a.m. to noon. The streets will be blocked to at least the first intersection.

Wilkes-Barre Police Chief Gerard Dessoye said the police would appreciate if people avoid traveling to downtown Wilkes-Barre between the given hours, if possible, and to be prepared for detours and road closures. He recommends leaving early and allowing extra time, even if your destination is not immediately around Public Square.

Dessoye noted, "We certainly realize people have lives outside of politics here, and have to get from Point A to Point B."

The U.S. Secret Service will cover security concerns surrounding the president, while city police will handle the "peace, dignity and safety of the City of Wilkes-Barre," according to Dessoye, who is confident in his department's abilities.

He requested the cooperation and best behavior of Valley residents during the time Bush will be in town.

"Regardless of anyone's politics, this is a big day for the City of Wilkes-Barre, that the president of the United States is visiting here," Dessoye said. "I ask everybody to put his or her best foot forward to make his visit as pleasant and as professional as possible. Afford him the respect the office deserves."

Wilkes-Barre City Police Captain Thomas Ungvarsky also apologized in advance for the inconvenience, and said the police would be doing the best they can.

"It's not every day we have a visitor like the president," he said. "The main thing for the residents and the people who work in the city is to bear with us for a few short hours."