Dick Cheney's Complicated Legacy
Dick Cheney's political legacy remains one of the most influential and debated within modern Republicanism. When George W. Bush ran for president in 2000, many voters viewed him as inexperienced despite his age and service as governor of Texas.
In presidential politics, such perceptions are often balanced by choosing a running mate with deeper government experience. Bush did exactly that by selecting Dick Cheney—who not only added credibility to the ticket but also brought unparalleled knowledge of American governance.
Cheney, who died Monday at age 84, probably knew more about the workings of the U.S. government than any man active in politics at the time.
His career reflected decades of high-level experience: he was the youngest chief of staff to President Gerald Ford, later serving ten years in the House of Representatives for Wyoming. Under President George H. W. Bush, he became Secretary of Defense, and afterward, he led the energy corporation Halliburton as CEO.
Cheney’s presence strengthened the Republican ticket in 2000. Though Bush and Cheney lost the popular vote, they secured the presidency through a narrow margin of 537 votes in the Florida recount. The new administration quickly moved forward with major campaign promises, including the Bush tax cuts and the education reform known as the No Child Left Behind Act.
Author’s Summary
Cheney’s deep institutional knowledge and conservative influence shaped both the Bush presidency and the long-term direction of the Republican Party.