Changing times for Cheney: Even at conservative BYU, VP can't escape Iraq schism

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As Vice President Dick Cheney delivers the commencement address at Brigham Young University late this afternoon, even Utah's bastion of conservatism - the LDS Church-owned university - has shown signs of a schism over the war. Demonstrations, both in support and in opposition to the war in Iraq, have marked Cheney's visit. More are planned for today.

Cheney's day in Utah

1:55 p.m. Vice President Dick Cheney arrives at Salt Lake City International Airport.

2:25 p.m. Cheney participates in a meeting with The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sometime after the meeting, Cheney will travel by motorcade from Salt Lake City down Interstate 15 to Provo and the BYU campus.

4 p.m. Cheney delivers the commencement address at Brigham Young University's Marriott Center in Provo.

Later today, Cheney will travel to Jackson Hole, Wyo., and spend the night. He then will fly to Tulsa, Okla., on Friday to give a speech at a luncheon for the Inhofe Victory Committee.

Commencement Happenings

Noon to 2 p.m. BYU College Democrats demonstrate at 1230 North and 150 East around the "Enter to Learn - Go Forth to Serve" sign on campus.

Noon to 2:30 p.m. Pro-Cheney ralliers demonstrate on the lawn of the Provo City Library, at 500 N. University Ave.

Noon to 6 p.m. Veterans for Peace will hold a vigil protesting the war on the southwest corner of 1230 North and Canyon Road.

7 p.m. Alternative Commencement featuring former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, former Amnesty International director Jack Healy, and former U.S. Senate candidate Pete Ashdown at the McKay Events Center on the campus of Utah Valley State College in Orem.

What's at stake nationally

Cheney and President Bush are struggling to rally support among Americans for the increased deployment of U.S. troops fighting in Iraq. The vice president's speech at BYU comes at a time when Cheney has denounced Democratic congressional critics as defeatists.

What's at stake locally

BYU was expected to be an overwhelmingly friendly host for Cheney, but the opposition and protests posed a challenge for the university.