EVERETT Vice President Dick Cheney visited Everett Monday to provide a financial and emotional boost to the congressional campaign of Republican Doug Roulstone.
In an hour-long stop at the Holiday Inn, Cheney sat for photos with some donors and met privately with others before taking to the podium for a 17-minute speech that began with a strong endorsement of Roulstones campaign to unseat incumbent Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash.
Roulstone is one of the finest candidates, Cheney said. He is a man of principle and a man of his words.
Cheney spent much of his time defending the Bush administrations policies. He drew applause when he called for making permanent the Bush tax cuts and not retreating in the fight against terrorism.
We have a clear plan of victory, he said.
Cheneys motorcade rolled up to the Holiday Inn at about 11:20 a.m. He was greeted by cheers and jeers from a crowd of about 80 people.
The crowd outside the hotel was heavily weighted toward people protesting Cheney and the war in Iraq. Inside, 280 Republican faithful listened to his speech.
Donors paid $250 each to attend or $2,100 a couple to get a photograph with the vice president.
Don Quale, 59, Lake Forest Park, was the first person to show up to share his views. Before being moved back by police, he took up a spot at the corner of Pacific Avenue and Pine Street, across from the hotel.
Quale held a sign thanking Cheney for support of the military.
Its a chance to get our message to the vice president that there are supporters despite the vilification, he said.
Chad Shue, 53, Everett, carried a Bush lied sign. He said he represented progressive Democrats in Snohomish County.
I just want to make sure Vice President Dick Cheney isnt as welcome here as he thinks he is, he said.
The police presence was visible and security tight. Streets adjacent to the hotel were closed, and by mid-morning the protesters were moved west along Pacific Avenue, away from the hotel.
He spent time before his address meeting with Republican leaders from Snohomish, Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties.
Roulstone of Snohomish is trying to unseat Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., the Lake Stevens resident first elected to Congress in 2000.
Roulstone served 27 years in the Navy, retiring after serving as commander of the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier. He now runs Damar Machine Co. in Monroe.
Today is Cheneys 48th political fundraiser since January 2005 and his 26th for a House of Representatives candidate, according to his office.
After the luncheon, Cheney will fly from Paine Field on board Air Force Two to Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane. A public rally is planned at the base.
This evening, Cheney will star at a fund raising event for Republican Mike McGavick, who is challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.
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