COLUMBIA, S.C. - Vice President Dick Cheney spent about 30 minutes in Columbia Monday, raising about $300,000 for President Bush's 2004 re-election campaign.

Some 150 guests paid $2,000 a person at a fund-raising lunch at the home of Gayle Averyt, former chief executive officer of Colonial Life Insurance Co.

The fund-raiser was closed to the public and the media.

Outside the event, about 25 demonstrators chanted and carried placards reading, "Impeach Cheney for Lying" and "Cheney is a War Profiteer."

Demonstrators first were told to conduct their protests at Maxcy-Gregg Park, about four blocks away from the fund-raiser. After conferring with local police, the protesters were allowed to stand on the sidewalk across the street from Averyt's house.

At the fund-raiser, Cheney posed for pictures with guests and spoke briefly about the war, the record of the Bush administration and the importance of the 2004 election, according to those in attendance.

"It wasn't a political speech; it was more of here's what's at stake," said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. "It was a very thoughtful speech. I told him afterwards it was a perfect tone because all the people here are all business folks. They understand politics. He made you think about why this election is so important. I was impressed."

Eddie Floyd, former chairman of the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, said he will host a Bush-Cheney fund-raiser featuring first lady Laura Bush at his Florence home in October.

Democratic presidential hopeful Howard Dean used Cheney's Columbia visit as a fund-raising benchmark over the weekend.

The effort began Friday, when Dean's Web site challenged donors to match the money that Cheney was planning to raise in South Carolina. Dean took in more than $400,000 over the Internet in a single weekend.