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Cheney stumps to shore up Shaw

The 13-term GOP congressman is seen as vulnerable against his Democratic challenger, state Sen. Ron Klein.

BOCA RATON - Vice President Dick Cheney stumped Monday for the re-election of U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw, a 13-term incumbent whom political observers see as vulnerable.

Cheney praised U.S. troops and vowed to keep fighting terrorism but avoided any mention of Medicare, a key issue in Shaw's aging district.

The vice president, speaking to 200 Shaw supporters at a fundraiser, said "our nation is still at risk of attack" and that congressional leaders who want to reduce troop numbers in Iraq and cut back on defense spending have a "dangerous" mind-set.

Shaw, who had a tumor removed from his lung in January, is being challenged by Democratic state Sen. Ron Klein, who promised earlier Monday to make Medicare prescription drug benefits a key issue. Klein said the Medicare plan falls far short of being "simple and affordable."

An aggressive campaign season is expected in Florida, a state with 27 electoral votes, as Republicans try to hold power in Congress. Democrats have been targeting Shaw in a district considered more moderate than others.

The National Journal , a nonpartisan politics and government weekly, recently called Shaw Congress' most vulnerable incumbent.

Florida's 22nd Congressional District, including parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, has one of the highest concentrations of seniors in the country - about 40 percent, said Klein, who has repeatedly criticized the new drug program since the federal government rolled out benefits in November.

"He can talk about prescription drugs all he wants in a time of war," sniped Sid Dinerstein, chairman of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County.

Shaw said the vice president hit on key campaign issues, including war and the economy. He said Klein's focus is too narrow.

"He's already said he doesn't understand" the Medicare plan, Shaw said. "He ought to get a better understanding of it and then criticize."

Cheney in his speech thanked Shaw for supporting President Bush and lauded the congressman's "principle and decency."

The vice president said the United States' economy grew more last year than any other nation's, adding 4.7-million jobs. "To remain competitive, we need to keep the economy growing," he said. "Congress needs to make the Bush tax cuts permanent."

Cheney and Shaw have been friends since the early 1980s, when they served in Congress together. Organizers of Monday's event expected to raise about $300,000 for Shaw's re-election campaign.

The vice president covered similar themes in a 20-minute speech Monday evening to the Collier County Republican Party in Naples.

Former Vice President Al Gore will host a Democratic fundraiser Sunday night in West Palm Beach.

[Last modified March 7, 2006, 01:14:20]