Dick Cheney

Richard Bruce Cheney, known as Dick Cheney, was born on January 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He would go on to become a significant figure in American politics, serving as the 46th vice president of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. His early life and upbringing in the heartland of America would shape his political and personal beliefs throughout his career.

During the Vietnam War, Cheney received five draft deferments, which allowed him to avoid military service. He cited his marriage and later the birth of his children as reasons. This decision later came under scrutiny, and Cheney explained his actions as being aligned with his priorities at the time, which were focused on his education and establishing his family. This history of deferments would be revisited in public discussions during his vice presidency.

Dick Cheney became the White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford on November 20, 1975. At 34, he was the youngest chief of staff in U.S. history at that time. His role involved overseeing the executive office of the president and coordinating communications. Cheney's tenure as chief of staff was marked by his efforts to manage the administration during a period of political instability following the Watergate scandal.

Dick Cheney was sworn in as the 17th U.S. Secretary of Defense on March 20, 1989, a position he held until January 1993. As Secretary of Defense during the presidency of George H. W. Bush, Cheney oversaw key operations such as Operation Desert Storm in 1991. His leadership during the Gulf War was significant in the rapid deployment and successful execution of military objectives in Iraq and Kuwait.

Dick Cheney was announced as George W. Bush's running mate on July 25, 2000. Prior to this announcement, Cheney had been serving as head of Bush's vice-presidential search committee and was known for his executive experience and defense policy knowledge. The announcement marked the beginning of a vice-presidential campaign that emphasized Cheney's governmental and corporate leadership experience, showcasing him as an experienced and reliable choice.

Dick Cheney was inaugurated as the 46th vice president of the United States on January 20, 2001. Serving under President George W. Bush, he became one of the most influential vice presidents in U.S. history. Cheney played a critical role in shaping foreign policy and national security measures, especially in the wake of the September 11 attacks, focusing on strategies such as the War on Terror and the invasion of Iraq.

On September 11, 2001, Dick Cheney was present when terrorists attacked the United States. As the vice president, he was rushed to a secure location known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). From there, Cheney made critical decisions regarding national security and military response. His decisive actions during the crisis were crucial in managing the immediate response to the attacks and ensuring the continuity of government.

Dick Cheney was a key advocate for the invasion of Iraq, which began on March 20, 2003. As vice president, Cheney argued that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction and posed an imminent threat to the United States. This perspective contributed to the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq. Though the presence of such weapons was never confirmed, Cheney maintained that the invasion was crucial to U.S. security.

On February 11, 2006, Dick Cheney accidentally shot Harry Whittington, a Texas attorney, during a quail hunting trip in Kenedy County, Texas. The incident occurred when Cheney and others were hunting and Cheney mistook Whittington for game. This event became widely publicized, bringing media scrutiny and jokes about Cheney's target accuracy. Whittington thankfully survived the accident, but it remained a notable controversy during Cheney's vice presidency.

On January 20, 2009, Dick Cheney's term as vice president officially ended as Barack Obama and Joe Biden were inaugurated as president and vice president. During his two terms, Cheney had been a polarizing figure due to his advocacy of enhanced interrogation techniques, his role in the Iraq War, and his strong influence on President Bush's policies. Cheney left office as one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S. history.