The Untold Story: How Dick Cheney Redefined American Power
Dick Cheney. The name alone conjures images of shadowy backrooms, hawkish foreign policy, and an almost mythical level of influence. But what really made this man tick, and how did he transform the vice presidency from a ceremonial role into a veritable co-presidency? It’s a question worth diving into, because understanding Cheney is understanding a pivotal shift in the American political landscape.
The Making of a Power Broker
The article paints a picture of a man who, on paper, shouldn’t have been as influential as he became. He wasn’t a charismatic campaigner like JFK, nor did he bring obvious electoral advantages like LBJ. In fact, the article notes that some feared he would lose votes for George W. Bush. He was, seemingly, the antithesis of the “change” Bush promised. And yet, from this unlikely starting point, he ascended to become, as the article states, “the most influential vice president in modern U.S. history.” How?
It wasn’t just about experience, though Cheney had that in spades. He had served as Secretary of Defense under the elder Bush, a congressman, and White House Chief of Staff. No, it was something more profound: a deep understanding of power, coupled with an unwavering belief in its application. He was, in essence, a bureaucratic ninja, adept at navigating the corridors of Washington and wielding influence with surgical precision.
The attacks of 9/11 only amplified this. The article vividly describes Cheney, in the situation room bunker, taking charge in the immediate aftermath while Bush was still traveling. Imagine the weight of that moment, the sheer responsibility resting on his shoulders. It’s chilling, frankly. More than anyone, Cheney convinced Bush that terrorism was an existential threat, and that conviction shaped the course of American foreign policy for years to come. Was he right? That’s a question historians will debate for decades, but there’s no denying his impact.
Cheney’s worldview, the article suggests, was rooted in a Hobbesian pessimism – a belief that the world is a "dark jungle" where only the strongest survive. This translated into a foreign policy that prioritized American power above all else. He was obsessed with secrecy, with preserving the authority of the president to project that power as he saw fit. Think about the "secret, undisclosed location" he operated from after 9/11. It became a punchline, sure, but it also symbolized his commitment to operating outside the bounds of conventional scrutiny.
Even the scandals, like Abu Ghraib, didn’t derail him. His staunch defense of domestic wiretapping and his resistance to banning torture by the CIA reveal a man willing to do whatever he deemed necessary to protect the country. Was it justified? Did the ends justify the means? These are uncomfortable questions, and there are no easy answers.
His rise through the ranks is a masterclass in political maneuvering. From a congressional aide to Chief of Staff under Ford, to a Congressman himself, and then Secretary of Defense, Cheney steadily accumulated power and influence. The article highlights his knack for "masking hard-line views with an affable manner and his trademark lopsided smile." This is key. He was a master of persuasion, able to disarm his opponents with charm while simultaneously advancing his agenda.
The article touches on his time at Halliburton, which is another crucial piece of the puzzle. From 1995 to 2000, he led the world's largest oil services company, further solidifying his ties to the Bush family and foreshadowing the business-friendly policies of the upcoming administration. Of course, this tenure would later become a source of controversy, with accusations of corporate cronyism and profiteering during the Iraq War.
The fact that he never harbored presidential ambitions, due to his health and perhaps a lack of public charisma, paradoxically enhanced his power. As the article points out, his discretion and loyalty were even more prized by Bush. He wasn’t angling for the top job; he was focused solely on wielding influence from within.
The old Cheney/Rumsfeld alliance dominated the Bush administration, setting its hard-nosed, unilateralist style, and routinely outmaneuvering the more conciliatory Powell at the State Department. The absence of WMDs in Iraq tarnished his reputation, and the Halliburton controversy threatened Bush’s re-election. Yet, Cheney remained unassailable, a testament to his deep entrenchment within the Republican establishment. As Dick Cheney: The most influential vice president in modern American history points out, Cheney's influence extended to shaping the administration's policies and direction.
It Was Never About the Title
Cheney’s story isn’t just a biography; it's a cautionary tale about the concentration of power and the potential for its abuse. It forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about the balance between security and liberty, and the long-term consequences of decisions made in the heat of crisis. He redefined the vice presidency, yes, but at what cost?
