Dick Cheney, a significant figure in American politics, passed away at the age of 84. He served as White House chief of staff under President Gerald Ford during the 1970s, followed by a decade in the House of Representatives. Later, he was appointed Secretary of Defense by President George H.W. Bush, playing a critical role during the first Gulf War and the U.S. invasion of Panama. Cheney became vice president under George W. Bush in 2001, notable for shaping the “War on Terror,” particularly following the September 11 attacks, and advocating for the Iraq invasion.
Cheney was born Richard Bruce Cheney on January 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska. His early life included a move to Wyoming, where he faced personal challenges, including two convictions for drunk driving. Notably, he sought multiple deferments to avoid military service during the Vietnam War, which did not become a significant issue during his vice-presidential campaign against Democratic Vietnam veteran John Kerry.
Cheney fostered connections in Washington, starting as an aide to Congressman William Steiger. He was mentored by Donald Rumsfeld, which helped him rise to the role of chief of staff. After retiring from public life, he became CEO of Halliburton before returning to politics at the behest of George W. Bush.
At the start of the Iraq War, Cheney claimed Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction and supported controversial interrogation techniques. He maintained a powerful position during his tenure but faced challenges in passing legislation, which led to some internal party pressures regarding his continuation on the 2004 ticket.
In later years, Cheney became a vocal critic of Donald Trump, aligning with his daughter, Liz Cheney, who also opposed the former president. He publicly expressed a willingness to support Democratic candidates, marking a significant shift in his political stance. Cheney’s legacy is complex, reflecting both deep loyalty to conservative values and a willingness to diverge from party lines, particularly concerning issues like same-sex marriage and opposition to Trump.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c511811gqr0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss