Fifty-year-old Carol Carpinelli said she was grateful that the celebrities were out campaigning for Kerry "when they've got movie star stuff to do." She was there with her boyfriend, 50-year-old Pat Dieffenbaugher. Their own story had a touch of Hollywood to it. High school sweethearts, they went separate ways after graduation, married other people, and didn't see each other for 27 years. Six years ago, when they were both single again, Carpinelli's father died, Dieffenbaugher saw it in the paper and sent her flowers, and they've been together ever since.

But the threat of unemployment hangs over their happy ending. "Our plant could close any time," said Dieffenbaugher. "I have two brothers who lost their jobs at Republic Steel." His sister's boyfriend, who works for Timken, another steel company, is now helping it set up a new plant in China. "It seems like we work better under Democrats," he said.

Republican attempts to label Democrats as the party of coastal elites clash with their real-life experience. "I find the people we know who are better off than us want Bush," says Carpinelli. "The working people are backing Kerry," Dieffenbaugher adds. One need only look at Timken's CEO, who's raised $600,000 for Bush at the same time the company is making plans to eliminate 1,300 local jobs.

There were a few Republicans around, but even many of them seemed pleased with their celebrity visitors. One antiabortion activist muttered angrily, "I can't believe they have to trot these actors out," but other Bush supporters waited in line for autographs.

"I've been a fan of yours since way back!" 24-year-old Dan Studer, a beefy guy with a crew cut and a football jersey sporting a Bush-Cheney sticker, said to Steve Buscemi. Studer and his identically dressed friend threw their arms around the actor for a photograph, and then listened intently as he asked them, "Are you happy with the way things are going in this country?"

Speaking of Kerry, Studer said, "I just don't like the way he won't take a stand on anything. He flip-flops."

In his famously wry voice, Buscemi replied, "You know what, it's the media." He proceeded to explain how Kerry's words have been distorted. As they talked, Studer nodded a few times and said, "Yeah, that's true." Buscemi gave him a flier and said, "Anyway, just think about it." Studer hugged him. "I'm a huge fan," he said. "It's great to meet you."

As he walked away, Studer said he still believed in Bush, but Buscemi "had some valid points," and said he thought some people who were undecided might be swayed by the celebs.

Meanwhile, a deputy sheriff was deep in conversation with Matt Dillon. "My wife and I went back and forth," he said. "I'm afraid of the U.N. If it was any other time..."

Dillon gave him a flier and said, "Just take a look at this." The sheriff said, "I don't want to abandon what our kids have sacrificed for over there." Then he looked at Dillon and said, "I respect what you guys are doing."

Back on the bus, Dillon seemed fairly humble about what he was doing, and aware that it might seem absurd. "I don't normally come out," he said. "I don't get that politically involved. I've not really been an activist." He seemed genuinely worked up about the economy in Ohio, though. Bush voters there "are going to be voting against themselves," he said. "I can't stomach the low minimum wage -- and now Bush wants to cut overtime! Personally, I feel strongly about John Kerry. This guy is great."

"If I can make a difference," he said, "I want to show up."

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