Aboard Air Force One

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One at 10:47 a.m. this morning in route to South Bend, Ind., where the President Bush will headline a fundraiser for Congressman Chris Chocola, R-Ind., before flying to Cincinnati for an evening fundraiser for Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio.

During the press conference, Perino was asked whether Republicans who oppose the president's plan to turn over the operation of six major U.S. ports to a company owned by the United Arab Emirites still want the president to campaign for them.

Here is an excerpt from the press conference transcript:

Q: Given the Republican complaints about this ports deal, is the president still getting a lot of invites to attend fundraisers like this today?

MS. PERINO: I checked on that this morning. In fact, we are getting daily requests for the president to participate in campaign events. In fact, the supply is not keeping up with demand. You also heard from the President in his press conference on January 26th, in which he said that he wants to be out there campaigning, so I can expect you'll see him out on the road supporting Republican candidates.

Q: Can you quantify that a little bit? You said you checked into it. How many pending requests are there?

MS. PERINO: I'll see if there's anything I can add. I don't know.

It should be noted that DeWine's office has been asked by the Enquirer several times this week what his stance is on the port deal, but he has declined to comment on it. Could it be that he doesn't want to oppose Bush when Bush is coming to his aid?

(Photo from Boeing.)