President Bush has a wealth of support in Middle Georgia, and it falls to Ben Hinson to make sure that support translates into dollars.

Hinson, the president of Mid Georgia Ambulance in Macon, has raised more than $200,000 for Bush so far, making him a "ranger" in the campaign's parlance. His well-appointed office is studded with reminders of his service to the Bush-Cheney campaign, including a photograph of him and his wife, Vicki, with the president and first lady at a Crawford, Texas, fund-raiser last year.

Hinson, 51, is co-chairman of Bibb County for the campaign.

"The core of my being has been involved with President Bush since he got in office," Hinson said.

Bush is definitely ahead in the fund-raising game in Middle Georgia, according to the Web site http://www.fundrace.org/, which tracks campaign contributions by address. Within a 15-mile radius of The Telegraph offices, 66 contributors are listed for Bush, many of those giving the maximum of $2,000 allowed.

Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean are the next closest, with 18 and 11 contributors respectively. Only one Middle Georgia Kerry contributor is listed. The Web site uses information from the Federal Election Commission as of Feb. 29.

Hinson said Bibb County fund-raisers have raised more than $400,000 for the president, and that there might be much more that hasn't been accounted for. The latest FEC release said that the Bush-Cheney campaign has $108,252,674, also as of Feb. 29. Campaign spokesman Reid Dickens said the campaign has "obviously raised a significant amount since then." Bush is scheduled to be in Greensboro on Friday for two campaign receptions.

The Kerry campaign had $2,518,686 on hand as of Feb. 29.

Hinson said he has supported Democrats in the past, including former Gov. Roy Barnes, but that Bush has really struck a chord with him. Hinson first met the president at an event on Reynolds Plantation last year.

"When we walked into the room and shook his hand, there was this incredible connection," Hinson said. "My wife and I talked about how we have prayed for him and his daughters, and he looked me in the eye and said 'Thank you.' "

Hinson has met Bush a total of six times and said each experience has been genuine. Now he participates in campaign conference calls once a week and organizes fund-raisers locally.

"It's like, we've got the ball on our own 20-yard line, and we've got to drive down the field and score. In that scheme, I'm like the down lineman. Nobody in the stadium knows what I'm doing but the two coaches," Hinson said.

Hinson said he expects voter turnout in Middle Georgia to be strong, and that it will be in Bush's favor. The Bush campaign has broken down the campaign organization to the neighborhood and street level, Hinson said, and will be actively recruiting new voters.

Hinson speaks like a true believer.

"All it takes is meeting him. You meet him one time, you're ready to run through the wall for him," Hinson said.

Hinson said that if an undecided voter thinks about what the most important qualities a president must have, that person will gravitate towards Bush. He doesn't think Kerry has a chance in the midstate.

"We're going to work hard to raise some more money for sure. We're going to work very hard to speak the truth about Bush. People who've met him will share their experiences with him," Hinson said.

"I've got to be the bell cow for Middle Georgia."