Schilling Makes Pitch for Grand Old Party

WILMINGTON, Ohio -- Mixing politics with baseball, President Bush got a boost from Boston Red Sox star Curt Schilling Monday morning.

Schilling and Ohio Gov. Bob Taft introduced Bush to a crowd in an airplane hangar at ABX Air Inc., the DHL overnight delivery airport operation. His appearance kicked off a seven-state tour and came a day after he addressed a crowd at the Cincinnati 's Great American Ball Park.

Bush's Monday schedule included Wisconsin, Iowa and New Mexico. He was expected back in Ohio Tuesday after voting in Crawford, Texas. Bush planned to thank campaign volunteers in Columbus for their efforts, said Bush-Cheney spokesman Kevin Madden.

In Wilmington, the crowd, estimated at 6,500 by the Secret Service, roared as Bush and first lady Laura Bush were flown in to the Monday morning rally aboard a Marine One helicopter. Bush spoke for 30 minutes extolling his familiar theme of leading the fight against terrorism, limiting taxes and promoting student achievement in the nation's public schools.


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