Vice President Makes A Brief Visit To Oklahoma

Friday, April 27th 2007, 5:19 pm

By: News On 6

Vice President Dick Cheney comes to Tulsa for a Republican fundraiser. Cheney arrived at Tulsa International Airport just before noon. A motorcade took him downtown for a luncheon to support the reelection campaign of Senator Jim Inhofe. Cheney is a reliable fundraiser for Inhofe. This is the fifth time that Cheney has been in Tulsa to raise money for him, dating back to the times when they were both in Congress. The News On 6â€™s Emory Bryan reports Fridayâ€™s speech by Cheney was very similar to the last one he gave here in Tulsa, focusing mainly on the war.

The vice president's appearance was brief and to the point. His main points for the crowd were well received, urging support for both Inhofe and the war in Iraq.

"It is cynical to declare that the war is lost because it gives you political advantage,â€ said Cheney. â€œLeaders should make decisions based on what's best for the country, not what best benefits your political party."

Inhofe is running for reelection in the Senate, where he says because of his seniority and he didn't mean his age, he can still get something done.

"I feel if I'm in position to do more than someone who is new and if I'm still healthy and enjoying it, why not?" said Inhofe.

Two hundred and fifty people paid $250 each to the fundraising luncheon. A few paid $2000 for a picture with the vice president in a closed door reception. The Inhofe campaign didn't speculate on how much might be raised from the event. As for the protesters who were outside, Inhofe said they didn't bother him and didn't sway his belief that Iraq was getting better, not worse.

"And so I feel people need to hear both sides,â€ said Inhofe.

"Can the war still be won?â€ asked reporter Emory Bryan.

"Oh, absolutely," said Inhofe.

Cheney echoed Inhofe's positive outlook on Iraq and disputed the claim of critics that the war in Iraq isn't connected to the war on terror.

"Yet the evidence is flatly to the contrary, and the critics conveniently disregard the words of Bin Laden himself, who says the most serious issue for the whole world is this third world war that is raging in Iraq," said Cheney.

Cheney was in Tulsa for less than two hours, but raised at least $75,000 and probably much more because people generally contribute more than the basic costs of the ticket.

To watch video of the Vice President's speech, click here.

To watch video of the Vice President's arrival, click here.

Watch the video: Vice President Makes A Stop In Green Country

Related story:

4/27/2007 - Protesting The Vice President's Visit