Overland Park ? Vice President Dick Cheney on Monday called for the disarmament of Iraq during a $250-a-plate fund-raising event for Adam Taff, the Republican candidate for the 3rd Congressional District.

Taff faces U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, a Democrat, in the Nov. 5 general election.

The Third District includes the eastern half of Lawrence and the Kansas City metropolitan area.

CheneyÂ’s visit emphasized the importance Republicans have put in trying to stay in control of the U.S. House.

State Republican party officials said they hoped to raise $200,000 at the fund-raising event.

During his speech, Cheney said Iraq posed a national security threat because it has weapons of mass destruction.

ÂWe must and we will take whatever steps are necessary to defend our freedom and our security,Â- Cheney said to several hundred Taff supporters.

Outside the fund-raiser, about 70 protesters spoke out against U.S. military action against Iraq.

For more updates to this story, see the 6News reports at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Sunflower Datavision’s cable Channel 6 and pick up a copy of Tuesday’s Journal-World.