President Bush's speech on homeland security today at the downtown Union Pier Terminal is open to the public, but only a select few can attend.

Entry to the speech is by ticket only. All the tickets have been distributed to police, military, homeland security and other state and local officials, and to some Republican Party faithful from along the coast.

Several thousand invited guests are expected, and security will be tight. A boating security zone has been set up on the water, and the Federal Aviation Administration has placed temporary restrictions on private air flights in and around Charleston. No announcement has been made as to which downtown streets may be closed.

Because of parking restrictions, organizers are asking ticket holders to carpool or take buses.

General audience parking will be directed to the South Carolina Aquarium parking garage on Concord Street and to the Gaillard Auditorium parking garage near Calhoun Street.

Attendees will go through security screening and are being asked not to bring bags, backpacks or shoulder bags.Bush is scheduled to be at the downtown pier off Washington Street at about 11 a.m., where he will commend local homeland security teams and representatives of the Port of Charleston and expand on comments from his State of the Union speech.

Bush's appearance is a policy speech and no GOP fund-raising efforts are scheduled during his visit, officials said.

The timing of the president's appearance has drawn criticism from Democrats, who say he is trying to steal the thunder generated by their presidential primaries. Bush went to New Hampshire two days after that state's primary, and he is appearing in South Carolina two days after its primary.

The White House responded to criticism by saying Bush is the president of the country and can make speeches wherever he wants.