Cheney expected to visit Flathead

The Daily Inter Lake

Vice president to attend fundraiser for Sen. Conrad Burns

Work is said to be under way for visits next month to Whitefish by Vice President Dick Cheney and later by Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert.

Cheney reportedly plans to attend a fundraiser Aug. 16 for Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont.

Hastert, R-Ill., will attend a fundraiser Aug. 23 for Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont.

A call to Friends of Conrad Burns, the senator's campaign headquarters in Montana, was referred to the vice president's press office at the White House.

There, Cheney spokeswoman Jenny Mayfield said, "I have nothing to announce at this time," and said she would welcome a call back later.

But some local business owners said they are making plans for the event.

Secret Service agents and others reportedly are making security plans for Cheney's arrival and securing lodging for a detail of about 70 people. At Kandahar Lodge on Big Mountain, reservations for security personnel are scheduled for Aug. 14 through Aug. 17. Reservations won't be confirmed until a day or two before the event, said Jennifer Fisher, director of sales and marketing.

Cheney's schedule is subject to sudden change, and no firm plans are available.

Burns is scheduled to be at the Northwest Montana Fair on Aug. 16 in Kalispell, according to his Web site.

Hastert will have a "big family barbecue" at 6 p.m. Aug. 23 at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, said Dustin Frost, Rehberg's campaign manager.

"We're wanting to get as many people there as possible," he said. "It's a rally to fire up Denny's supporters and help mobilize our vast grassroots network up there in the Flathead."

An employee at The Lodge could not confirm the Cheney or Hastert events.