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Richard "Dick" Cheney, who served as the 46th Vice President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush, is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and influential vice presidents in American history. His tenure was marked by a significant expansion of the executive branch's authority, particularly in the realm of national security and foreign policy.
Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Cheney became a principal architect of the Bush administration's "War on Terror." He was a forceful and unwavering advocate for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, arguing that Saddam Hussein's regime possessed weapons of mass destruction and posed an imminent threat to the United States. This assertive stance cemented his public image, though his policy decisions have faced sustained scrutiny and criticism for their global consequences. His influence was so profound that his role often appeared to transcend the traditional boundaries of the vice presidency, operating at the center of the administration's most critical decisions.
Beyond foreign policy, Cheney's vice presidency was punctuated by a major domestic incident in February 2006, when he was involved in the accidental shooting of Texas attorney Harry Whittington during a quail hunt. Whittington was seriously injured, suffering a non-fatal heart attack after birdshot migrated to his heart. The incident drew significant controversy, not only for the event itself but also for the White House's delayed and controlled disclosure to the public, which was first reported by a local Texas newspaper nearly a full day later. Whittington, who passed away in 2023, later publicly forgave Cheney.
Cheney's political career began long before his vice presidency, with roles including White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford, a multi-term congressman from Wyoming, and Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush, where he oversaw the 1991 Gulf War. In the years since leaving office, Cheney has remained a prominent, and at times controversial, figure in the Republican Party. He has continued to defend his administration's actions while also becoming a fierce critic of Donald Trump, a position that has sometimes put him at odds with the modern GOP, as highlighted by his public support for his daughter Liz Cheney. His legacy remains a subject of intense debate, defined by his assertive use of power and his lasting impact on American politics.
