Wichita ? Vice President Dick Cheney told Republican supporters Monday that while the United States has led an international coalition on the war against terror, it will never seek a “permission slip” to defend the nation’s security.

Stumping through Kansas for a GOP fund-raising event, Cheney hit heavily on the dual themes of an improving economy and the ongoing threat of terrorism in the wake of the 9-11 attacks.

“In this time of testing, our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people,” Cheney said. “Even though it has been more than two years since 9-11, we must have no illusion that the threat has passed.”

Cheney said the only option was to take the fight to the enemy.

About 200 people attended the $1,000-per-person reception at the Hyatt Regency, one of several stops Cheney is making to raise money for President Bush’s re-election campaign.

Fewer than 50 foes of the Iraq war demonstrated outside the hotel where Cheney spoke.

But among the GOP faithful inside, Cheney found a far more receptive audience as he boasted that Saddam Hussein will never brutalize his people, support terrorists or threaten the United States.

“There is no question America did the right thing in Iraq,” Cheney said.

Cheney also touted an improving economy, which he credited to Bush’s tax cuts. He urged Congress to make the cuts permanent.

Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., applauds during Vice President Dick Cheney's speech. Cheney made a fund-raising stop Monday in Wichita.

Earlier in the day, Cheney and his wife, Lynne, were in Minnesota for similar events.

Bush, first lady Laura Bush, Cheney and former President George Bush have all been hitting the fund-raising trail this month.

Although Bush has already met his $150 million fund-raising goal, his campaign made a new appeal to add to his record total in hopes of avoiding another close election like the one in 2000.

In Wichita, the event met its goal of $250,000, said Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan.

“It is a substantial amount of money. It speaks well about the community and the support for Dick Cheney,” said Sedgwick County GOP chairman Mark Kahrs.

Democratic allegations of profiteering in Iraq by oil services giant Halliburton, a company which Cheney once headed, have become more frequent in recent weeks. Opponents have also cited the vice president’s frequent claims that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Others have questioned the health of the 63-year-old vice president.

Still, Tiahrt said after the event that “Cheney brings a lot to the table” for Republicans.

Cheney last visited Wichita in July 2002, when he campaigned in the state for Republican candidates.