The deceased US second-in-command Dick Cheney, who died at the age of 84, was seen as among the most significant holders of the vice-presidency in the nation's history. Whereas numerous second-in-commands were limited to peripheral or symbolic positions, Cheney held enormous power during the presidency of George W Bush, to such an extent that he was often described as the "real president".
Bush disliked such a characterisation and claimed the dynamic was more complicated. He observed that Cheney was courteous, invariably referring to him in public as Mr President, while he referred to him as Dick. Bush disputed even descriptions of their relationship as a team because it indicated that they were equals. Despite these denials, Cheney considered the easygoing president pliable on a broad range of administrative determinations.
A Aftermath of 9/11
In charge of a faction of neo-conservatives that featured Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld and Pentagon second-in-command Paul Wolfowitz, he vigorously promoted the military intervention of Iraq in 2003 in reaction to the terrorist strikes on New York and Washington. At the time of the 9/11 assault, Bush had been taking part in a gathering at a educational institution in Florida. Whereas Bush headed for a secure location in Nebraska, Cheney took charge, directing the downing of any unresponsive aircraft approaching the government building.
Cheney said the strikes transformed him, causing him to be intent on retribution. In conjunction with other neo-conservatives, including Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz, he lobbied for a occupation of Afghanistan in an effort to seize Osama bin Laden. Cheney then pressed fiercely for the invasion of Iraq, even though there was little proof of Saddam Hussein having involvement.
Controversial Decisions
He showed no remorse about the armed intervention, in which an reckoned 100,000 Iraqis died, or about the enhanced interrogation of suspects rounded up after 9/11. He stated to CNN in 2015 that the Iraq invasion effort, which was founded on inaccurate information echoed by Cheney, was the proper path to take. "It proved to be the correct action to do then. I was convinced then and I maintain that stance today."
Yet even then, there were contrary opinions at a senior level about the poor management of Iraq. One of the administration's own delegates to the region, General Anthony Zinni (2001-03), was dismissed from the position. "I witnessed, at the very least," he subsequently stated "clear negligence, negligence, and irresponsibility: at worst, deception, unfitness, and dishonesty."
Additional Factors
Cheney was not solely responsible for the Iraq military action. Even before 9/11, Wolfowitz had advocated for such action. He had composed a document detailing scenarios in which US concerns might be compromised (encompassing "access to vital raw materials, mainly Persian Gulf oil"). Wolfowitz had asserted that "the United States should be positioned to take unilateral action when joint efforts cannot be arranged," particularly mentioning military moves against Iraq.
Bush additionally had entered the Oval Office somewhat determined on carrying out what his predecessor had specifically avoided to do in 1991; topple Saddam. Subsequent to he had been dismissed by the president, the treasury secretary Paul O'Neill revealed how, at the opening session of the National Security Council in January 2001, Bush had announced his objective of lowering America's participation in the Middle East dispute and mooted military action against Iraq.
Bush carried a private grievance against Saddam, believing he had been behind a plot to murder his father, President George HW Bush, on a journey to Kuwait in 1993. He furthermore resented that one of the most prominent establishments in Baghdad had a surface artwork with a portrait of his predecessor's face that each person had to tread upon.
Investigation Approaches
Yet it was Cheney who was part of the most vehement behind invading Iraq, repeatedly quoting intelligence reports that were whether thin or completely misleading. He backed what the Bush White House politely called as "advanced techniques", the application of simulated drowning and torture.
Responding to a Senate document in 2014 that determined that no actionable intelligence had come from the interrogation methods, Cheney disregarded the conclusions as "full of crap". He told Fox News: "We instructed [the CIA] to take steps and establish programmes to capture the perpetrators who took the lives of 3,000 of us on 9/11 and guarantee it never happened again. That was specifically what they did and they earn a lot of credit."
Public Image
Cheney reveled in monikers assigned to him by opponents such as the dark character and The Prince of Darkness, and by the idea that he was a sinister influence directing Bush. In the author's 2013 publication about the pair, Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House, Cheney is cited as commenting: "Is it me who is the sinister strategist in the background that operates invisibly emerge from his lair? This represents a effective way to work, truthfully."
Commercial Ties
Dispute over his commercial relationships pursued him throughout his time as vice-president. Although he had limited background in corporate affairs but established relationships in security, especially in Saudi Arabia, he was offered a position at Halliburton, one of the world's most substantial oil and gas companies, in 1995 as leader and chief executive.
In 2000 he became Bush's running mate for the executive branch. Contentiously, during the military campaign, Halliburton was awarded US contracts totaling billions.
It greatly increased his wealth. His yearly compensation during his tenure at the corporation grew from his previous salary during his time as military head to millions. When he resigned in 2000 he had a compensation package totaling in excess of $20m|twenty
