Cheney campaigns for lawmaker

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The war on terrorism is far from over, and American remains under threat, Vice President Dick Cheney said Thursday as he campaigned for freshman Congressman Sam Graves and tried to drum up support for President Bush's new military spending plan.

"The nation is on alert and prepared to defend itself," Cheney told about 600 people who attended a $250-a-plate luncheon for Graves at the Westin Crown Center hotel. "But wars are not won on the defensive. We must find the enemies of the U.S. and bring them to justice."

Cheney said President Bush's new $48 billion military spending increase, which includes raises for people in the service, was necessary.

The increase, which has garnered criticism in Congress, is the largest in two decades.

Cheney, who visited the Middle East last month to round up support for military action against Iraq, is on his second day of a four-day fund-raising tour for Republicans trying to win early votes in what could be a tight election year in both Congressional chambers.