Cheney Came, He Spoke, He Got $300,000

Cheney came, he spoke, he got $300,000

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/...-cheney06.html

BY ART GOLAB Staff Reporter
June 6, 2006

Vice President Dick Cheney flew into town Monday afternoon, talked to a small group of well-heeled GOP contributors for an hour and earned at least $300,000 for the Republican National Committee.

About 50 people attended the fund-raiser at a gated Lake Forest estate of William Strong, vice chairman of Morgan Stanley. The affair was billed in invitations as requesting $25,000 per couple. The event was closed to the news media and Cheney made no comments to reporters at Waukegan Airport, where he landed and departed.

Among those present at the fund-raiser were Craig Duchossois, a venture capitalist whose family is the largest stockholder in the company that owns Arlington Park racetrack, and Robert D. Stuart, retired chairman of Quaker Oats and a former U.S. ambassador to Norway.

Cheney talked for about half an hour, then devoted the rest of the time to answering questions.

A small crowd greets Vice President Dick Cheney at Waukegan Regional Airport on Monday. (MICHAEL STONACEK/WAUKEGAN NEWS SUN)

"He gave a really quiet, thoughtful, low-key talk," said Stuart. "He defended our policy of going after terrorists around the world. He made a very good case for what the Bush administration is trying to do."

Stuart described Cheney as a "remarkable man -- because he's so low-key, but he's done every important job in government."

According to other sources, Cheney also discussed the importance of concluding the mission in Iraq, negotiations with Iran over nuclear disarmament and his recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Cheney emphasized the need for the GOP to retain its majority in the House and Senate this November.

Cheney has been active in fund-raising for other Republican candidates and causes. He returns to the Chicago suburbs later this month when he headlines a fund-raiser for David McSweeney, who is trying to unseat Democrat Melissa Bean in the 8th Congressional District.