Dick Cheney

"As Sam Rayburn observed, the House is high drama, and part of its fascination lies in the continuing mystery of its denouement."

In my early teens, I was taught one central tenet when it comes to literature. That a sign of culture and intellect is to be able to read and appreciate works written by authors you do not agree with in other matters. Some might find it a bit naïve, but I've always used it as a rule of thumb.

In this case, it stood me in good stead. I came across this book in a Swedish thrift shop, and found the title interesting - I've always had an interest in American history and politics - and it was only when I brought it home that I noticed who the author was. And as a politician, I disagree with Richard B. "Dick" Cheney in just about every regard. But I have to hand it to him and his wife - they did a solid job with this one. Through biographies of nine men who held the position of Speaker of the House, you get a thorough idea of how the prerogatives, powers - and challenges - of the position has developed and changed over the years.

The biographies are thorough, surprisingly partisan, and well-researched. Although the final biography of Newt Gingrich veers into the territory of a hagiography, which kind of spoils the general impression. Apart from that, however, it is a genuinely enlightening and enjoyable read, particularly if you have an interest in US politics.… (more)

I have read some vice-presidential memoirs (see my reviews of “The Education of a Public Man” by Hubert Humphrey and “The good Fight” by Walter Mondale) recently and “In My Time” is among the best. This may be explained by its author’s extensive career as White House Chief of Staff under President Ford, Member of the House of Representatives from Wyoming and minority whip, Secretary of Defense under President George H. W. Bush and vice-president under President George W. Bush as well as the skilled writing style of both Dick and Liz Cheney.

The tale begins with probably the most intense day of his career, September 11, 2001. Working in the White House while the President was traveling around the country, the Vice-President became the nerve center connecting the President with the other agencies of the government.

Cheney then steps back to his family and youth, education and series of jobs in the private and government sectors that prepared him for service. After abandoning his plans for a career in academia, he held responsible position in the government during highly significant periods in our recent history. As White House Chief of Staff he was at the core of the recovery from the Nixon resignation. His rise in the House leadership gave him influence beyond that of a routine Representative and made him a partner with the Reagan Administration in advancing his program. As Secretary of Defense during Desert Storm he is able to introduce the reader to the diplomatic and military challenges and accomplishments of the Liberation of Kuwait. As Vice-President he was at the heart of the formulation and execution of administration policy.

I appreciate the Cheney’s openness about his life and outlook. He discusses his hobbies (fishing), tastes in music, heart problems and acknowledges his failure and Yale and DUI incidents and the hunting accident in which he shot his friend. His wife, Lynne, and daughters Mary and Liz and grandchildren are presented as delights of his life. Like Hubert Humphrey in his memoirs, and perhaps even to a greater extent, Cheney shares his disagreements over and policy and his assessments of major figures with whom he interacted including the presidents he served, Donald Rumsfeld whose career often intertwined with his, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and others.

Cheney has been called the most powerful vice-president, the master of an Imperial Vice-Presidency and the culmination of the enhancement of the office that had taken shape under Vice-President Mondale. Mondale and historian Joel Goldstein contend (in my analysis) that the Cheney Vice-Presidency took a turn away from the Mondale model of being a generalist advisor to the president to become a decision maker in his own right. Readers of “In My Time” may come to a different conclusion. We do see a Veep requesting briefings on his own and taking responsibility for making decisions under some circumstances. One incident often cited in support of the claim of an overreach is Cheney’s 9/11 order to shoot down any aircraft that would not comply with orders to land. The vice-president, on his own, lacks authority for any such decisions but Cheney writes that he had discussed the question with the President and had been given authority for the order.

“In My Time” is a fascinating tome that provides valuable insights into the people and events that shaped our time. We have heard extensive critiques of Dick Cheney from others. On these pages we read his account of his time.… (more)