Bush told the 400 people gathered at Lancaster Host Resort on Lincoln Highway East that the Middle East policy implemented by the previous administration failed.

"That policy came home on Sept. 11," he said, referencing terror attacks that killed 3,000 people in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., in 2001.

The three-year-old U.S. mission in Iraq must continue or the battleground against terrorists will change from the Middle East to American shores, Bush said.

"If we withdraw, the enemy will follow us home," he said.

Bush's appearance on behalf of Swann -- the former wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers making his first run at public office -- raised $700,000 for the GOP candidate, Swann spokesman Leonard Alcivar said.

The influx of cash comes at a welcome time for Swann, as the Republican trails Ed Rendell by 20 percentage points, according to a poll released by Quinnipiac University.

The Connecticut school this month polled about 1,400 voters, who favored Rendell over Swann by a margin of 54 percent to 34 percent.

Swann supporters at the Host said the numbers will turn more favorably toward the Republican when television and radio advertisements appear after Labor Day.

"The Quinnipiac poll is relatively meaningless in mid-August," Alcivar said. Raising $700,000 Wednesday "is a significant step in the evolution of our campaign."

During his speech, Bush asked Swann's supporters to donate money and talk up his candidacy in their communities.

"You can't run unless people are willing to contribute," the president said. "That's just the way it is."

Earlier in the day, Bush toured the Harley-Davidson plant and participated in an economic forum in York County. He then flew in Marine One, the presidential helicopter, to Lancaster Mennonite HSchool in East Lampeter Township.

After landing, the president rode in a motorcade that traveled eastbound on Lincoln Highway East, passing Tanger Factory Outlet Center at Millstream and other Lancaster County attractions.

Bush bypassed 120 protesters camped out at the Host's main entrance when the motorcade turned off the highway and proceeded to the fundraiser by an alternative entrance.

People paid $650 individually or $1,000 per couple to attend the fundraiser. An undisclosed number of people paid $10,000 to meet Bush and have their pictures taken with him.

A standing and cheering crowd greeted Bush when he walked onto the stage about 5:15 p.m. with Swann and Jim Matthews, the Republican running for lieutenant governor.

Bush spoke for 25 minutes, spent 10 minutes shaking hands and left the Host about 6 p.m to return to the White House.

Bush talked about cutting property taxes, raising education expectations and curbing frivolous medical-malpractice lawsuits in Pennsylvania, achievable goals if Swann is elected, he said.

Swann "has plenty of accolades," Bush said. "Just ask the Dallas Cowboys."

Dan Fee, a spokesman for Rendell, said those goals sound great because Rendell has achieved many of them during his first term.

"Those are such good ideas; that's why Ed Rendell just did it," Fee said. "But unlike President Bush, Gov. Rendell respects a balanced budget. He doesn't just cut taxes and create deficits."

U.S. Rep. Joseph Pitts, a Chester County Republican who represents Lancaster County, said Bush will help Swann catch Rendell.

"He gave him a real boost," Pitts said. "He energized the base here, and the base will make a difference in the fall. You'll see the polls tighten up. Once the ads start in September and October, that will make a difference."

After talking Pennsylvania issues, Bush focused most of his speech on the global war on terror.

"We face an enemy that knows no bounds of cruelty," Bush said.

"They do not believe in freedom. They don't believe in the freedom of religion. They don't believe in the freedom of dissent. They don't believe in women's rights. They have a backward view of the world."

Bush said the United States cannot leave Iraq until a stabilized government is formed. To abandon the military mission -- U.S. military deaths in Iraq since 2003 are at 2,601 -- would undermine U.S. credibility worldwide, he said.

"It's hard on the American people, I understand that," Bush said. "But we shouldn't let the difficulties of facing this war force us to retreat from the world.

"If your most important responsibility is to protect the American people, the best way to do so is to stay on the offense and bring these people to justice."

Dave Pidgeon's e-mail address is dpidgeon@lnpnews.com.

Different day

It was not your ordinary August day Wednesday along Route 30

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