Dick Cheney and the Lost Republican Soul
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Assessing the 50-Year Legacy of Dick Cheney: From White House Operator to Trump Critic
Explore Dick Cheney’s transformative, 50-year political career, tracking his evolution from establishment operator to principled conservative critic of modern Republicanism. This reflection defines the legacy of the deeply influential man who chose service over the presidency.
Short Summary
- Chart Cheney’s remarkable 50-year arc through Republican politics, spanning five decades of influence from Washington staffer to VP.
- Contrast the public's shifting view of Cheney: Darth Vader during the Bush years versus a voice of conscience challenging Trump.
- Recognize Cheney as one of the few senior figures who actively and publicly opposed Trumpism, demonstrating deep conviction.
- Highlight that Cheney was a serious, results-driven public servant who always "meant it," contrasting sharply with current figures like JD Vance.
This discussion analyzes Dick Cheney’s long and complex career following his passing. Speakers contrast the different political personas Cheney occupied—from operative to VP to staunch Never Trumper—evaluating the substance behind his 50 years in the public eye. Understanding Cheney provides a lens on the transformation of American conservatism.
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Top Comments (10)
Remember when Dick Cheney lied us into a war and got millions of people killed in his quest for expanded executive power? The Bulwark doesn’t.
This is one of those Bulwark videos where it reminds me that the only thing we really have in common is that we both recognize Trump as a threat.
You guys forgot to mention the he was a war criminal .
Cheney was chairman and CEO of Halliburton Company from 1995 to 2000 and has received stock options from Halliburton. In the run-up to the Iraq War, Halliburton was awarded a $7 billion contract for which only Halliburton was allowed to bid.
It has to be reckoned how much Cheney pre-adapted the GOP for authoritarianism. Cheney was an ardent advocate for "the Unitary Executive," and the outright deception he engaged in to steer the nation into war, as well as the effect of the war itself to magnify Executive power (and distrust of the government Establishment) helped to set the stage for Trump's entrance. It was admirable, perhaps, the way Cheney stood up to Trump, but the actual civic courage of Cheney's stand here can be questioned, since it was his own daughter who was locked in a political death-struggle with Trump.
Definitely a life viewed through a conservative lens. I lived through the "Cheney Years", it was chilling to watch.
Wow Bill is really reminding here why I used to hate him so much. Still as deluded about the Dubya years as ever!
"Voice of conscience" Dick Cheney... yeah, that's not going to be his legacy.
A very compelling argument can be made that Cheney more than anyone paved the path through American politics that led us to Trump and the illiberal authoritarianism we’re grappling with today. He’s the grandfather of the unitary executive theory. He opened this Pandora’s box.
Wow, I am glad to see that there are plenty of people in the comments that watch The Bulwark but have a clear understanding of the harm that Cheney did to our country. I don’t feel so alone.
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Top Comments (10)
Remember when Dick Cheney lied us into a war and got millions of people killed in his quest for expanded executive power? The Bulwark doesn’t.
This is one of those Bulwark videos where it reminds me that the only thing we really have in common is that we both recognize Trump as a threat.
You guys forgot to mention the he was a war criminal .
Cheney was chairman and CEO of Halliburton Company from 1995 to 2000 and has received stock options from Halliburton. In the run-up to the Iraq War, Halliburton was awarded a $7 billion contract for which only Halliburton was allowed to bid.
It has to be reckoned how much Cheney pre-adapted the GOP for authoritarianism. Cheney was an ardent advocate for "the Unitary Executive," and the outright deception he engaged in to steer the nation into war, as well as the effect of the war itself to magnify Executive power (and distrust of the government Establishment) helped to set the stage for Trump's entrance. It was admirable, perhaps, the way Cheney stood up to Trump, but the actual civic courage of Cheney's stand here can be questioned, since it was his own daughter who was locked in a political death-struggle with Trump.
Definitely a life viewed through a conservative lens. I lived through the "Cheney Years", it was chilling to watch.
Wow Bill is really reminding here why I used to hate him so much. Still as deluded about the Dubya years as ever!
"Voice of conscience" Dick Cheney... yeah, that's not going to be his legacy.
A very compelling argument can be made that Cheney more than anyone paved the path through American politics that led us to Trump and the illiberal authoritarianism we’re grappling with today. He’s the grandfather of the unitary executive theory. He opened this Pandora’s box.
Wow, I am glad to see that there are plenty of people in the comments that watch The Bulwark but have a clear understanding of the harm that Cheney did to our country. I don’t feel so alone.