(January 18, 2007)--President Bush said Thursday he's "leaning heavily toward SMU" for his presidential library, over Baylor University and the University of Dallas.

The committee formed to select a site for the facility entered into exclusive talks in December with SMU, and Mr. Bush told Belo Television Thursday that he's close to a decision.

Mr. Bush says a library and institution would enhance education, be a place for interesting discussion and be a place for people to express their views and write and think.

The Rev. Mark Craig is senior minister of Highland Park United Methodist Church, where the Bushes are members, and is an SMU trustee.

Craig says the board voted unanimously to try to lure the library six years ago and has fully supported the project since then.

The president’s comments come on the same day that a group of ministers announced that it’s circulating a petition that says, "As United Methodists, we believe that the linking of his presidency with a university bearing the Methodist name is utterly inappropriate."

SMU dismissed the effort.

Brad Cheves, the university's vice president for external affairs and development, said Thursday that the United Methodist church is diverse in its membership and opinions.

He says the ministers behind the petition reflect only one view and that the university believes "the vast majority of the Methodist membership, university and community support the library."

SMU is the alma mater of first lady Laura Bush.

It emerged as the apparent winner in the library race last month, trumping Baylor University and the University of Dallas in the competition for the facility.

Some SMU faculty members also have complained that the library complex's think tank dedicated to the philosophy of the Bush administration would hurt the school's reputation.

The petition is the latest wrinkle in the sweepstakes for the library.

SMU earlier was locked in a court fight over whether the university had clear title to a condominium complex that school officials have considered as a possible site for the library.

In December, US District Judge Jerry Buchmeyer ruled in SMU’s favor in the case.

Two condo owners, a dentist who moved out and a lawyer who still lives there, contend SMU used unfair tactics to buy out owners at low prices and said they plan to appeal.

Baylor is offering a site on the banks of the Brazos River and officials say they remain “cautiously optimistic” about the university’s bid.

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