The deceased US VP Dick Cheney, who died at age 84, was regarded as among the most influential holders of that position in the nation's history. Whereas numerous VPs were confined to marginal or figurehead positions, Cheney wielded huge influence during the administration of George W Bush, to such an extent that he was commonly called as the "actual president".
Bush objected to this portrayal and claimed the dynamic was more nuanced. He observed that Cheney was courteous, always referring to him in public settings as President, while he called him as Dick. Bush disputed even descriptions of their relationship as a team because it suggested that they were on equal footing. Despite these objections, Cheney found the relaxed president accommodating on a wide array of administrative determinations.
A Period Following the Attacks
In charge of a group of neo-conservatives that included defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld and deputy defence secretary Paul Wolfowitz, he pushed hard for the armed incursion of Iraq in 2003 in reaction to the September 11th attacks on New York and Washington. During of the 9/11 attack, Bush had been taking part in a meeting at a educational institution in Florida. While Bush headed for a underground facility in Nebraska, Cheney assumed control, ordering the destruction of any non-communicating aircraft approaching the US Capitol.
Cheney said the assaults transformed him, leading him to become focused on retaliation. Together with other conservative figures, including Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz, he campaigned for a takeover of Afghanistan in an endeavor to apprehend Osama bin Laden. Cheney then strongly advocated for the military action of Iraq, though there was little proof of Saddam Hussein having involvement.
Debated Decisions
He showed no remorse about the invasion, in which an estimated 100,000 Iraqis lost their lives, and not about the enhanced interrogation of suspects rounded up after 9/11. He told CNN in 2015 that the Iraq invasion effort, which was based on inaccurate reports repeated by Cheney, was the proper decision. "It represented the correct action to do at that time. I was convinced then and I believe it presently."
But even then, there were dissenting voices at a top tier about the botched execution of Iraq. One of the White House's own delegates to the area, General Anthony Zinni (2001-03), was dismissed from the role. "I witnessed, at the very least," he subsequently stated "clear negligence, carelessness, and recklessness: in the worst case, lying, ineptitude, and graft."
Wider Perspective
Cheney was not completely accountable for the Iraq campaign. Prior to 9/11, Wolfowitz had pushed for similar measures. He had composed a memo detailing situations in which American interests might be compromised (featuring "availability of essential resources, primarily Persian Gulf oil"). Wolfowitz had contended that "America should be postured to take unilateral action when joint efforts cannot be arranged," explicitly citing military moves against Iraq.
Bush also had arrived in the White House somewhat determined on carrying out what his predecessor had specifically avoided to do in 1991; overthrow Saddam. After he had been dismissed by the White House, the finance chief Paul O'Neill disclosed how, at the first meeting of the National Security Council in January 2001, Bush had declared his intention of reducing America's participation in the Middle East dispute and proposed defense operations against Iraq.
Bush carried a individual resentment against Saddam, thinking he had been behind a scheme to assassinate his father, President George HW Bush, on a journey to Kuwait in 1993. He furthermore disliked that one of the largest establishments in Baghdad had a ground design with a portrait of his father's countenance that all visitors had to step on.
Interrogation Methods
However it was Cheney who was among the most outspoken behind attacking Iraq, repeatedly quoting intelligence reports that were either weak or entirely deceptive. He supported what the Bush government politely called as "enhanced interrogation", the use of interrogation method and harsh treatment.
Answering a Senate document in 2014 that concluded that no actionable intelligence had resulted from the interrogation methods, Cheney rejected the conclusions as "loaded with crap". He informed Fox News: "We requested [the CIA] to implement measures and establish initiatives to apprehend the perpetrators who took the lives of 3,000 of us on 9/11 and make sure it never happened again. That's exactly what they did and they merit a lot of credit."
Public Persona
Cheney enjoyed nicknames imposed on him by opponents such as the dark character and The Prince of Darkness, and by the concept that he was a shadow power manipulating Bush. In the journalist's 2013 publication about the two, Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House, Cheney is reported as stating: "Am I the malevolent mastermind in the shadows that nobody ever sees leave his lair? This represents a nice way to operate, actually."
Business Interests
Controversy over his business interests pursued him throughout his time as second-in-command. While he had limited background in commerce but established relationships in military, notably in Saudi Arabia, he was invited to join Halliburton, one of the world's biggest oil and gas companies, in 1995 as chairman and chief executive.
In 2000 he was selected as Bush's VP candidate for the presidency. Controversially, during the Iraq war, Halliburton was given US deals totaling multiple billions.
It significantly boosted his finances. His yearly earnings during his period at the firm rose from his previous salary during his time as Pentagon chief to $4.4m. When he left in 2000 he had a package worth over $20m|twenty
