Scoundrel or Über-Lieutenant? The Vice Presidency of Dick Cheney

Authors

  • Jody C. Baumgartner

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15763/issn.2374-7781.2008.29.0.235-252

Abstract

In this essay I evaluate the vice presidency of Dick Cheney. Although roundly criticized throughout his tenure in the mainstream media and popular press for the policies he advocated and presumably helped implement, his secretive nature, his tendency to subvert standard bureaucratic procedures, and exercising undue influence over the president, there is actually no objective framework within which to evaluate vice presidents. After reviewing criticism about Cheney’s tenure in office, I offer an alternative view based on what presidents expect from their vice presidents. From this perspective, in his role as loyal lieutenant for George W. Bush, we are forced to conclude that Cheney was actually a successful vice president.

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Published

2008-11-01

Issue

Vol. 29: Fall 2008

Section

Articles

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