Dick Cheney, Controversial Bush VP, Passes Away at 84/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Dick Cheney, former Vice President and one of the most powerful political figures in modern American history, has died at age 84. A staunch conservative and key architect of U.S. foreign policy post-9/11, Cheney’s legacy remains deeply divisive. He died from complications of pneumonia and cardiovascular disease.
Dick Cheney’s Political Legacy Quick Looks
- Cheney died Monday night at 84 due to pneumonia and heart complications.
- Served as Vice President under George W. Bush during the Iraq War.
- Held prior roles as Defense Secretary, Congressman, and White House Chief of Staff.
- Known for expanding the vice presidency’s power and secrecy.
- Key proponent of the Iraq invasion and post-9/11 surveillance measures.
- A divisive figure, criticized for false WMD claims and “shadow presidency.”
- Survived five heart attacks and had a heart transplant in 2012.
- Supported daughter Liz Cheney in her criticism of Donald Trump.
- Shot a friend in a 2006 hunting accident, which damaged his public image.
- Retired to Wyoming after his political career, supporting Liz Cheney’s rise.
Dick Cheney Dies at 84: A Deep Look at a Powerful and Polarizing Legacy
Dick Cheney, the former Vice President of the United States and one of the most influential and controversial political figures of the modern era, passed away Monday night at the age of 84. His family announced his death was due to complications from pneumonia and chronic heart and vascular disease.
Cheney’s political career spanned five decades and multiple presidential administrations. He was a central figure in shaping America’s foreign and domestic policy during some of the country’s most pivotal moments — including the September 11 attacks and the wars that followed. He also served as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford, a six-term congressman from Wyoming, and Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush during the Persian Gulf War.
But it was during his time as Vice President under George W. Bush that Cheney wielded unprecedented influence. Viewed by many as the most powerful vice president in U.S. history, Cheney often took the lead on major policy decisions, particularly concerning national security, presidential powers, and foreign conflicts. His tenure reshaped the office from a ceremonial role into one of substantial, if quiet, authority.
Often described as stoic, secretive, and unwavering in his convictions, Cheney was a key architect of the invasion of Iraq. He vigorously promoted the now-debunked claims that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction and maintained ties to Al Qaeda. His insistence on these points — later proven false — drew sharp criticism and defined his legacy for many Americans.
Despite the mounting opposition and human cost of the Iraq War, Cheney remained resolute, insisting well into the conflict that the U.S. was on the right path. He famously declared in 2005 that the Iraqi insurgency was in its “last throes,” even as casualties continued to rise.
Cheney’s approach to governing was rooted in his belief in strong executive power. He supported controversial post-9/11 measures including warrantless surveillance, detention without trial, and enhanced interrogation techniques that many critics labeled torture. His expansive view of presidential authority was frequently challenged in court and led to deep legal and ethical debates.
He operated behind the scenes, often from undisclosed locations after the 9/11 attacks to preserve the continuity of government. Cheney relished his role as a backstage player and once joked about his image as a shadowy figure, calling it “a nice way to operate.”
Yet his political career also faced public missteps. In 2006, he accidentally shot fellow hunter Harry Whittington in the face during a Texas hunting trip — an incident that was initially withheld from the public and mocked relentlessly by late-night comedians.
As the Bush presidency entered its second term, Cheney’s influence began to wane. His hardline positions on Iran and North Korea were not fully embraced, and legal rulings pushed back on his more aggressive policies. Despite this, he remained loyal to Bush and never publicly expressed presidential ambitions of his own.
After leaving office, Cheney faced fierce criticism not only from Democrats but also from a growing faction of Republicans, especially under Donald Trump’s presidency. The political rift deepened as his daughter, Rep. Liz Cheney, emerged as a vocal critic of Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Cheney supported her stance and condemned Trump in a political ad, calling him “the greatest threat to our republic” in American history.
In a surprising turn, Cheney publicly announced he would vote for Kamala Harris over Trump in the 2024 election, a position unimaginable during his earlier years in Republican leadership.
Cheney’s health challenges were well-known. He survived five heart attacks and underwent a heart transplant in 2012. In 2013, he remarked that he woke up every morning “thankful for the gift of another day,” a sentiment that stood in contrast to his often severe public persona.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1941, Cheney grew up in Casper, Wyoming. He briefly attended Yale but left due to poor academic performance, later earning degrees from the University of Wyoming. He married his high school sweetheart, Lynne, in 1964. Together, they raised two daughters, Liz and Mary.
Before entering national politics, Cheney served as a protégé of Donald Rumsfeld and held roles in the Nixon and Ford administrations. He returned to Wyoming in the late 1970s and won a congressional seat, beginning his long rise through the ranks of American power.
Between the Bush presidencies, Cheney served as CEO of Halliburton, a major oil services company. His ties to the energy industry remained a source of criticism during his vice presidency, particularly during debates over energy policy and reconstruction contracts in Iraq.
In retirement, Cheney returned to Wyoming and remained active in supporting his daughter’s political career. Though Liz Cheney ultimately lost her House seat in 2022 following her impeachment vote against Trump, she and her father remained committed to their view of preserving democratic norms, even as it cost them politically.
Dick Cheney leaves behind a legacy defined by power, controversy, and steadfast conviction. For supporters, he was a steady hand in a time of crisis. For critics, he embodied the dangers of unchecked executive authority. Either way, his influence on American politics remains undeniable.
He is survived by his wife Lynne, daughters Liz and Mary, and several grandchildren.
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