Dick Cheney

Dick Cheney – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Explore the life and career of Dick Cheney — his role as Vice President, his influence in U.S. foreign and defense policy, controversies, and his most quoted remarks on power, war, and governance.

Introduction

Richard “Dick” Cheney (born January 30, 1941) is an American political figure, statesman, and businessman best known for serving as the 46th Vice President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. Cheney is often cited as one of the most consequential vice presidents in U.S. history, wielding significant influence in matters of national security, defense, and executive power. His long career included roles in Congress, the Defense Department, and the private sector, and he remains controversial for his positions on the Iraq War, executive authority, and interrogation methods.

Early Life and Education

Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Richard Herbert Cheney, a soil conservation agent, and Marjorie Lauraine (née Dickey). Casper, Wyoming, where he grew up and attended public schools.

He briefly attended Yale University, but had difficulties adjusting and did not graduate. University of Wyoming, where he earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in political science.

Early Career & Rise in Government

Congressional Service

Cheney entered federal politics when he was elected to represent Wyoming’s at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978.

Secretary of Defense (1989–1993)

In March 1989, President George H. W. Bush nominated Cheney as Secretary of Defense, after the Senate rejected John Tower’s nomination. Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) and the U.S. invasion of Panama.

Cheney later called his time at the Pentagon “the one that stands out” among his public service roles.

Private Sector and Halliburton

After leaving public office in 1993, Cheney moved into think tanks and policy institutions, including the American Enterprise Institute and the Council on Foreign Relations. CEO and Chairman of Halliburton, a major oil services company, holding the post until 2000 — the day he was selected as George W. Bush’s running mate.

Vice Presidency (2001–2009) & Political Influence

Role and Power

Cheney’s vice presidency is widely viewed as one of the most empowered in U.S. history. He was deeply involved in policy, especially in defense and national security, and had multiple offices and influence across branches. June 29, 2002, when President Bush underwent a colonoscopy, under the 25th Amendment.

Post-9/11 & War on Terror

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Cheney played a central role in shaping U.S. counterterrorism strategy. invasion of Iraq, citing intelligence claims about weapons of mass destruction and alleged connections between Saddam Hussein’s regime and Al-Qaeda (though those claims were later discredited).

He also defended the use of enhanced interrogation techniques (including waterboarding), once stating: “I’d do it again in a minute.”

Controversies & Legacy

Cheney’s vice presidency was marked by significant controversies:

• The Valerie Plame leak / Scooter Libby affair, in which his former chief of staff was indicted and later pardoned, led to scrutiny over his role.

• His advocacy for expanding executive power and challenging oversight laws (e.g. FISA, Freedom of Information) drew criticism as a shift toward greater presidential authority.

• Some of his decisions and rationales around Iraq and surveillance have been strongly debated in historical assessments.

He left office with relatively low approval ratings, though his defenders argue his vision of strong executive action continues to influence current policy debates.

Personal Life & Health

Cheney is married to Lynne Cheney, with whom he has two daughters: Elizabeth (Liz) Cheney and Mary Cheney.

One of the more infamous incidents of his personal life was in February 2006, when he accidentally shot a fellow hunter, Harry Whittington, during a quail hunt in Texas, resulting in pellet wounds but no fatalities.

Memorable Quotes

Richard B. Cheney is known for blunt, forceful statements, especially on war, power, and national security. Here are a few:

• “There comes a time when deceit and defiance must be seen for what they are. At that point, a gathering danger must be directly confronted.”

• “I think the key that happened on 9/11 is we went from considering terrorist attacks as a law enforcement problem to considering terrorist attacks … as being an act of war.”

• “We need, from time to time, to use military force … in order to defend the nation and defend our friends. Sometimes that requires us to take actions that generate controversy.”

• “The plan was criticized … But with every advance by our coalition forces, the wisdom of that plan becomes more apparent.”

• “I am a deficit hawk.”

These quotes reflect Cheney’s worldview emphasizing strength, resolve, willingness to use force, and a dismissive posture toward some forms of debate or second-guessing.

Lessons & Reflections

1. The power of the vice presidency: Cheney’s vice presidency redefined what the role could accomplish when aligned with a president willing to delegate and trust deep institutional influence.

2. Executive authority & accountability: His arguments for expansive executive power continue to resonate—and worry—those concerned with oversight and separation of powers.

3. Moral ambiguity in security decisions: Cheney’s willingness to take controversial actions (e.g. enhanced interrogation) highlights the tension between security imperatives and ethical constraints.

4. Legacy beyond approval ratings: While unpopular in many moments, his lasting impact is found in policy norms, institutional choices, and the structures he helped build or defend.

5. The cost of convictions: Cheney’s approach shows the challenges of turning strong beliefs (e.g. preemptive security, use of force) into sustainable policy, especially when intelligence or outcomes are contested.

Conclusion

Dick Cheney stands as one of the most powerful and polarizing figures in modern American governance. His path—from congressman to defense secretary to vice president—maps a lifetime spent shaping U.S. power, doctrine, and institutional capabilities. Whether judged as a principled hawk or a controversial architect of overreach, his influence on 21st-century American policy is undeniable.