Dick Cheney's Complicated Legacy
Dick Cheney, one of the most influential and controversial vice presidents in U.S. history, has left behind a complicated legacy. He died on Monday at the age of 84.
Cheney reshaped the role of the vice president, wielding more power than any other vice president in American history. His legacy is defined by a time of turbulence in the United States, marked by wars in the Middle East and the 2008 financial crisis.
His take on the vice presidency has yet to be matched in the scope of his portfolio and influence he wielded over the administration’s choices on policy, appointments and strategy to navigate Washington.
Cheney was a primary driver of the expansion of presidential power, which he believed was unnecessarily limited by Congress and courts after the Vietnam War and Watergate.
Author's summary: Dick Cheney leaves a complicated legacy as a powerful vice president.