Romney Praises Bush, Sort OfSupporters of Mitt Romney cheered. (Photo: Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Straw Poll was where President Bush took his first big step toward winning his party's nomination. He poured money and resources here in 1999, drawing 31 percent of the vote, way ahead of Steve Forbes, the billionaire, who drew 20 percent of the vote.

No surprise that Mr. Bush isn't a particularly popular figure here today as Republicans gather for another straw poll; indeed he seemed almost invisible today at one of the larger political Republican gatherings anywhere.

With one exception: Mitt Romney of Massachusetts. It wasn't the most ringing praise, but praise it was.

"I know it's gotten popular as of late for people in the media to be critical of the president," Mr. Romney told supporters. "No one is perfect."

"But let's not forget one thing," he said. "He has kept us safe these last six years. And that has not been easy."

Unfortunately for Mr. Bush and the White House, Mr. Romney — just moments later — drew cheers with a line that did not exactly sound like an affirmation of Mr. Bush's six years in Washington.

"What brought us here is change. Change begins in Iowa and change begins today. If there ever has been a time that needed change in Washington, it is now."