Dick Cheney Made the Most of the Vice Presidency

Excerpt

Dick Cheney was the most consequential vice president in American history. He was also one of our most successful defense secretaries, a respected congressional leader, the youngest-ever White House chief of staff, a corporate leader and a champion of conservative principles. In the wake of 9/11, when many feared and no one knew what might befall us, he helped harden the country and prevent attacks.

In an era that cherishes rags-to-success tales of talent and grit, Cheney’s humble and rocky start goes surprisingly unremarked. His grandfathers worked as a railroad cook and a schoolteacher. His parents moved to Wyoming for an Agriculture Department job, living for a while in an unfinished basement. Dick became president of his high school class and a co-captain of the football team. His coach recalled that Cheney “ran like a fencepost.” I took this to mean that he was hard to knock down—a trait that stuck.

Mr. Libby is a distinguished fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He served as Vice President Cheney’s chief of staff, 2001-05.