It was business as usual last Thursday in downtown Sewickley as President Bush attended a Republican Party fundraiser only two miles away.

The scene contrasts with that of the president's last visit to Sewickley Heights, almost two years ago to the day, when nearly 200 protesters gathered in town. Issues from health care and the economy, to the war in Iraq and education were highlighted by people of all ages, who attended the rally in Wolcott Park.

Nearly 20 gathered in Sewickley last Thursday to protest Bush's visit.

Despite the smaller crowd compared to two years ago, Stephanie Dangel, a political activist in Sewickley, said their message still was heard.

"Not everyone in Sewickley supports the viewpoints of the fundraiser going on," she said.

"We want to show that there's a variety of viewpoints here."

Earlier in the day as Dangel passed out tickets at the Sewickley Public Library for Barack Obama's Friday rally in Oakland, she also was making phone calls to gather protesters for the rally.

"People have been calling and asking if there was going to be a rally in Sewickley," she said.

"They're very interested in expressing their opinions."

Marty O'Malley, a Forest Hills council member and Vietnam veteran, who joined protesters in 2006, said more people rallied against Bush's visit then because of war coverage.

"The media has lost interest in war coverage," said O'Malley, who is a member of the Thomas Merton Center. "Soldiers are still getting sent out into harm's way, but television cameras have changed their focus."

Bush's visit to the invitation-only fundraiser last week remained low-key, O'Malley said.

"There's no big protest in Sewickley because Bush is sneaking into town," he said. "And when it's over, he'll sneak back out."

Peg Greene Krainc, from Leetsdale, who along with other protesters held anti-war signs and lighted candles, said many Americans aren't affected by the war.

"This war hasn't personally hit home for too many people," said Krainc, whose brother died in Vietnam.

O'Malley, who did not attend the rally, said people continue to speak out against the war even as the focus has shifted to the presidential election.

Like O'Malley, Dangel said there is continued interest in the president's actions.

"We're still very much focused on him," she said.

"People continue to be energized and passionate with their political beliefs. We haven't moved on from Bush, but we are looking toward the November elections with a sense of relief."