Assistant Campus Editor

Vice President Dick Cheney accused Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry of “flip-flopping” on issues during a campaign fundraiser speech for fellow Republican and House Speaker Dennis Hastert at the Convocation Center Saturday night.

The event, which drew about 2,500 people to the arena, was part of Hastert’s “Mega Event 2004: A Rally for America” fundraisier. Attendees paid $150 per plate, with Hastert’s reelection campaign collecting more than $300,000 before expenses.

Speaking in front of a giant “Patton”-esque American flag, Cheney hammered Kerry’s back-and-forth stances on campaign issues – including his support for the troops in Iraq.

“The constant back-and-forth may be good for windsurfing, but not for running for president of the United States,” Cheney said, drawing applause and laughter from the crowd.

Cheney described Kerry as “an opponent who adopts a new position on the war every day” and whose shifts in attitude are “startling.”

“Voting for American troops in combat should never be a complicated question,” Cheney said.

The vice president voiced similar statements at the several rallies he attended in various states last week.

“We need a president who will back our troops 100 percent, and that’s what we’ve got with President George W. Bush,” Cheney said. He also spoke about the steadily-growing economy and the 1.7 million jobs the Bush administration created last year.

“The Bush tax cuts are working,” Cheney said.

“We’re working to make the Bush tax cuts permanent.”

Hastert, who introduced the vice president and spoke first, talked confidently about the role Illinois will play in the November election.

“We can carry Illinois for the president and vice president of the United States,” Hastert said.

A recent St. Louis Post-Dispatch and KMOV-TV poll of 800 Illinois likely voters put Kerry in a 15-point lead ahead of Bush.

In a press conference before the event, Hastert said he is “watching those polls carefully.” He also said the number of people coming to the event was a good indication of the support the 14th Illinois Congressional District – his district – has for the Bush/Cheney ticket.

“That’s a good indication that people want to hear what he has to say,” Hastert said.

Outside the Convo Center, Bush/Cheney protesters gathered near Stevenson Towers. Dick Durbin, U.S. Senator for Illinois, spoke at a Democratic rally.

Hastert said he was glad Durbin was in DeKalb, but added that he would prefer it if Durbin were in Washington helping him pass an energy bill.

Both Hastert and Cheney were greeted with standing ovations from the crowd. Supporters waved Hastert and Bush/Cheney reelection signs given away at both the dinner and outside the door.

Hastert said supporters need to do what they can to bring Illinois around for Republicans.

“It’s that little extra effort that each of us has to put out,” Hastert said.

Both Hastert and Cheney were greeted with standing ovations from the crowd. Supporters waved Hastert and Bush/Cheney reelection signs given away at both the dinner and outside the door.

Hastert said supporters need to do what they can to bring Illinois around for Republicans.

“It’s that little extra effort that each of us has to put out,” Hastert said.