Vice President Cheney Speaks To Republicans In Hot Springs

Vice President Dick Cheney praised the Bush Administration`s war on terrorism while campaigning in Arkansas today. Cheney criticized Democrats for blocking confirmation of conservative judge and an energy policy that he said could lower gas prices. Cheney spoke to a crowd of about 600 at the Hot Springs Convention Center this morning before an event scheduled in Fort Smith this afternoon. The Vice President said re-electing the Bush-Cheney team is crucial to making America safer. ---- dash --- More than rising temperatures have some Bush Cheney supporters hot under the collar in Hot Springs this morning. Some did not know they had to have a ticket to get into Vice President Cheney`s town hall meeting at the Hot Springs Convention Center and some went away grumbling when they found out they did. Home health care worker Moses Lopez of Arkadelphia says he was irritated after standing in line for half an hour only to find out he could not get in without a ticket. Lopez says such events should be open to the public. But organizers say there`s only a limited amount of space available and that tickets are necessary to accommodate as many people as possible. Bush Cheney volunteer George Marshall of Hot Springs says extra tickets were placed at a will call table to accommodate those who called asking for tickets first. What`s left would be handed out afterwards. Up to 600 G-O-P supporters are expected to attend the event, which is the first stop on the vice president`s visit to the state today. Cheney is also scheduled to appear at a rally this afternoon in Fort Smith. ---- dash ---- Outside of the convention center protesters held signs -- one read "Bush - Cheney - Ashcroft. The Axis of Evil."