The student-athletes were divided as to which twin, Barbara Bush or Jenna Bush, was their favorite, but the teammates at the Wednesday afternoon campus rally agreed on one thing: They'll be voting for the twins' father come Nov. 2.

"We're going to make an effort to go out and vote as a team," said safety Steve Burke, a native Texan who sported a cast over his broken thumb. However, he said that overall, "our team is fairly split on who we're voting for, so we've been sitting at dinner and having political debates."

With Ohio's hotly contested, swing-state status, both sides are courting all voting groups. The Bush sisters earlier Wednesday took part in a NASCAR-themed event in downtown Cincinnati. Democrats are bringing former presidential hopeful Howard Dean to Cincinnati's Bond Hill community and Miami's campus today.

Hailed as the Republican answer to the Democratic "Rock the Vote" campaign, the Bush twins - flanked by a huge "Students for Bush" sign - told about the president's more personal side Wednesday afternoon at a gymnasium here.

They told anecdotes about their parents and dropped references to their recently completed college days as the crowd of more than 300 strained to hear because of microphone problems.

When her parents first married, Jenna Bush said, "my mom was afraid of joining a political family." Pause. "Wrong family. I know she secretly loves being out on the campaign trail."

"It was rehearsed, I know, but I expected that," said John Matthews, a Miami sophomore from Green Township. "I was impressed. We made eye contact. It was awesome. I love them, and I love George W. Bush."

Among the stories from the twins' childhood: watching the Texas Rangers play in brutal heat but Dad always staying until the last pitch; Dad's natural discipline and timeliness that sometimes played havoc with their skirting curfew; both parents' constant encouragement.

"The fact she tolerated us for the past 22 years proves she's capable of doing anything," Barbara Bush said.

No protestors could be spotted outside or inside the event.

College Republicans said they kept the invitation-only event fairly quiet on campus.

Shouts of "I love you!" rang out from the crowd as Barbara and Jenna pitched their father's re-election effort.

"People keeping coming to campus to help swing the student vote, but a lot of the students already have their own opinion," said sophomore Lindsey Hilty, 21, who wore a T-shirt proclaiming, "Friends don't let friends vote Democrat!"

"But with this election, it's so important that everybody get out to the polls."

After their speech, coach Hoeppner gave the twins their own Miami football jerseys, one with "J. Bush," one with "B. Bush."

The twins shook hands with students, starting with the 10 football players congregated near the stage.

Wearing his No. 36 jersey, Redhawk safety Burke was one of the first to shake the Bush twins' hands.

He told Barbara about how he broke his thumb, tackling a running back in a recent game.

"That's the biggest cast I've ever seen for a broken thumb," Barbara said, flashing a smile.

Kristen Muthig contributed. E-mail rforgrave@enquirer.com