Vice President Dick Cheney to visit Cape airport

Vice President Dick Cheney is expected to make a Victory 2002 stop in Cape Girardeau Thursday afternoon to campaign for Jim Talent, the Republican from St. Louis who is seeking the U.S. Senate seat held by Jean Carnahan.

An aide for Cheney confirmed Monday that the vice president will be participating in the rally at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport Thursday. Another person from Cheney's staff -- a member of the "advance team" already at the airport making arrangements -- said that the doors will open at noon and that Cheney is expected to speak shortly after.

For security reasons, most details about the vice president's visit will not be released until 48 hours before his arrival. That means more information will presumably be released sometime today.

The rally will be a ticketed event, and tickets can be obtained for free by contacting the local Republican headquarters at 285 S. Plaza Way or by calling 335-3358.

Cape Girardeau police officers met with Secret Service agents at the airport Monday. Capt. Carl Kinnison is heading up the local assistance operation and said there was little he could say.

"That's not our call," he said. "We're working in conjunction with Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies."

The other agencies include sheriffs' departments in Scott and Cape Girardeau counties and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Kinnison said the agencies planned to meet again today.

Last in Cape in 2000

Cheney was last in Cape Girardeau as a vice presidential candidate in 2000. That trip was also at the airport.

Talent's father died Sunday, and a campaign representative said he was spending time with family and unavailable for comment. His press secretary, Rich Chrismer, said that Talent is thrilled about the campaign visit.

"Anytime you can have somebody like the vice president help get your message out, of course that helps the campaign," Chrismer said. "We're really excited about it."

Missouri is thought to be a key state in deciding the balance of power in the Senate. The Republicans are bringing out the big guns to Missouri this week, with visits by Sen. Trent Lott in Columbia, former president George H.W. Bush in Springfield and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani in Kansas City and St. Louis.

"Quite a parade," said Carnahan spokesman Dan Leistikow. "The bottom line is that this is a race between Jean Carnahan and Jim Talent and their records. It will be decided on the issues. Jim Talent can fly in as many people from Washington, D.C., as he wants. But this is a race about what they have done and plan to do for Missourians."

Tom Schulte, a field representative for the Republican Party, said that such high-profile people are coming to Missouri because they know how important the race is.

"It's important to the vice president that Missouri values are represented in the U.S. Senate," Schulte said. "Plus, I think all the people coming into Missouri know what an outstanding candidate we have in Jim Talent."

Cheney has been a frequent campaigner, hauling in more than $22 million for Republicans in 74 campaign appearances. He outpaced President Bush, who campaigned for Talent in Springfield earlier and logged a total of 66 events. Thursday's event is not a fund raiser.

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137