The Vice President Under George W. Bush
Dick Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush, making him the longest-serving vice president in nearly 150 years. Before national office, Cheney built experience in Congress and the executive branch, including leadership roles in the George H. W. Bush administration. During his vice presidency, he was a central figure on national security, foreign policy, and energy decisions, particularly after the September 11 attacks and during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. His influence on interrogation policies, surveillance, and post-9/11 governance remains widely examined in historical and policy discussions.
Basic Profile
Richard Bruce Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and grew up in Wyoming and Washington. He graduated from the University of Wyoming and later earned a Master of Arts in political science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Before becoming vice president, Cheney served as U.S. Representative from Wyoming, White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford, and Secretary of Defense under President George H. W. Bush. His selection as running mate in 2000 signaled a focus on national security and executive experience.
Tenure and Elections
Cheney was elected twice alongside George W. Bush: first in 2000 and again in 2004. Both elections were closely contested, with the 2000 outcome decided by the Supreme Court after the Florida recount. During two terms of Republican control of both Congress and the presidency in his later years, Cheney worked closely with congressional leaders to pass major legislative priorities, including tax policy and post-9/11 security measures.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Bruce Cheney | Official biographies |
| Term as Vice President | January 20, 2001–January 20, 2009 | U.S. Senate records |
| Presidents Served Under | George W. Bush | Presidential records |
| Previous Executive Roles | Secretary of Defense, White House Chief of Staff | Department and White House archives |
| Home State | Wyoming | Official congressional directory |
Key Policy Roles
National Security and Foreign Policy
After the September 11 attacks, Cheney played a leading role in shaping the administration’s counterterrorism strategy, including support for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He worked closely with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on military planning and engaged with the CIA on detainee and interrogation matters. His office coordinated policy across agencies, emphasizing preventive action and centralized decision-making in national security.
Energy and Climate
Cheney led the National Energy Policy Development Group in 2001, which produced a plan focused on increasing domestic energy supply. The policy emphasized oil and gas development, nuclear power, and conservation measures. While it did not establish a major federal climate policy, it influenced long-term energy debates in the context of security and market stability.
Surveillance and Legal Authorities
The vice president’s office interacted closely with the Department of Justice on matters involving national security letters, the Patriot Act, and classified programs. Legal memoranda produced during this period shaped post-9/11 practices regarding detention, interrogation, and electronic surveillance, many of which became subjects of later review and public debate.
Relationship With President Bush
Cheney and President George W. Bush built a working partnership based on shared priorities of security, tax policy, and judicial appointments. Cheney was known for his deep institutional knowledge and willingness to take on politically difficult issues, while Bush provided public leadership and final decision-making authority. Their collaboration helped define the policy output of both terms, though some aspects remain subject to historical assessment.
Post-Vice Presidency Activities
After leaving office, Cheney remained active in foreign policy discussions, authoring a memoir and speaking on national security issues. He supported bipartisan commissions on fiscal and security matters and continued to comment on energy and defense policy. His legacy is often examined through the lenses of executive power, transparency, and the long-term effects of post-9/11 decisions.
Public Perception and Historical Assessment
Views of Cheney’s vice presidency vary widely depending on assessments of national security policy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and legal approaches to detention and surveillance. Polls and scholarly analyses have revisited his influence in both contemporary and retrospective contexts. Historians will likely continue to debate the balance between security gains and civil liberties implications associated with this period of executive authority.
Quick Comparison With Other Recent Vice Presidents
- Dick Cheney (2001–2009): Longest-serving modern vice president; central role in national security after 9/11.
- Al Gore (1993–2001): Focused on technology and environmental policy; active in White House policy coordination.
- Joe Biden (2009–2017): Led deficit reduction and foreign policy initiatives; close domestic policy partner.
- Mike Pence (2017–2021): Emphasized traditional governance styles and agency management within the administration.
Where To Find Official Information
For additional details, consult resources such as the Miller Center at the University of Virginia, the George W. Bush Presidential Library, the Office of the Historian at the Department of State, and official congressional archives. These sources provide access to speeches, records, and research reports that support deeper study of the vice presidency and related policy areas.