The VP says the world will fondly remember the president.

The world is a better place because of George W. Bush's presidency, Vice President Dick Cheney assured Oklahoma Republicans on Friday evening.

"When the history is written, it will be said this is a safer country and more hopeful world because George Bush was president," Cheney said.

Cheney spoke for about 20 minutes to a state GOP banquet crowd of about 400 at the Crowne Plaza Tulsa.

His remarks did not cover any new ground. He plugged Oklahoma's Republican congressional delegation and presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain, advocated more oil wells and refineries as the solution to rising gasoline prices and predicted dire economic consequences if current temporary tax cuts and incentives are not made permanent.

The biggest share of his time, however, was spent on Iraq, Afghanistan and terrorism.

"Our strategy is the right strategy," Cheney said. "The only way we can lose is to quit."

To leave the area now would invite a situation similar to the one in Afghanistan after the Soviet Union's withdrawal in the 1980s, he said.

"We were engaged in that country, lending support to the mujahadeen against Soviet forces," he said. "Afterwards, everybody walked away and forgot about Afghanistan. What followed was a civil war and the emergence of the Taliban. In 1996, Osama Bin Laden was invited

Cheney said leaving the region now would show America "doesn't have the stomach for a fight."

"If we were to withdraw from Iraq, our friends would hear that message and so would our potential adversaries," he said.

Cheney called the Democratic Congress "irresponsible" for allowing domestic surveillance authorization to lapse. Congress actually passed the authorization but President Bush vetoed the bill because it did not include the liability protection for telecommunications companies that the administration wanted.

Addressing energy and rising fuel prices, Cheney blamed Democrats for blocking domestic oil and gas production, including exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

He described the economy as going through "a rough patch" that "some in Washington view as an excuse to expand the size and scope of government."

About 35 protesters gathered at the corner of Second Street and Boulder Avenue, about a block from the hotel entrance.

After staging a mock war-crimes trial and chanting "Impeach Cheney" for several minutes, protesters ended their demonstration by walking past police barricades toward the hotel.

Seven protesters were cited, but no one was arrested.

Cheney's Friday appearance came one year and five days after his last visit to the state, in April 2007, to help U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe kick off his re-election campaign.

On that visit, 10 demonstrators were cited for blocking traffic. The misdemeanor charges were dismissed against eight of 10, and the other two pleaded no contest. One person was arrested, but that charge was later dismissed.

World staff writer Matt Barnard contributed to this story.

Randy Krehbiel 581-8365
randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com