CHAPTER NINE: GEORGE W. BUSH & DICK CHENEY
1.Bush officially announced his selection of Cheney for vice president at the Frank Erwin Center, University of Texas at Austin, July 25, 2000.
2.Bush is related to fifteen American presidents and can trace his bloodlines back to the Mayflower.
3.James Mann, George W. Bush (New York: Henry Holt, 2015), p. 7.
4.Stephen F. Hayes, Cheney: The Untold Story of America’s Most Powerful and Controversial Vice President (New York: HarperCollins, 2007), p. 19.
5.Ibid., pp. 24–25.
6.Ibid., p. 67.
7.Jake Bernstein and Lou Dubose, Vice: Dick Cheney and the Hijacking of the American Presidency (New York: Random House, 2006), pp. 136–42.
8.Hayes, Cheney, p. 281.
9.Bob Woodward, State of Denial, vol. 3, Bush at War (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2006), p. 420.
10.Powell was concerned about Bush’s desire to fight the war without the help of allies if necessary. Bush was not convinced that he needed the support of the United Nations or Congress. Powell was concerned about the long-term consequences of ignoring these important institutions. In the case of the UN, Powell thought that fighting a war without international support would undermine the purpose and value of the UN and establish a dangerous precedent that, in the event of a future crisis, the US would have difficulty walking back from.
11.Peter Baker, Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House (New York: Doubleday, 2013), p. 5.
12.Frontline, season 25, episode 10, “Cheney’s Law,” directed by Michael Kirk, aired October 16, 2007, on WGBH/PBS, Boston.
13.Ibid.; former vice president Dan Quayle paid Cheney a visit in the early days of George Jr.’s first term, to help acquaint the new vice president with the ceremonial duties of his office. Their exchange was described by Washington Post reporter Barton Gellman in the Frontline documentary “Cheney’s Law”:
Dan Quayle went to see Dick Cheney, who he’d known for a long time, right around Inauguration Day in Bush’s first term. He sort of went in, one vice president to another, to let him know how things were going to be. And he said, “You know, Dick, you’re going to be doing a lot of traveling, going to a lot of funerals, lot of fundraisers. You’re going to be doing the things that presidents don’t want to do, and that your president doesn’t want to do.” And Cheney just looked at him with that little half-grin and raised his eyebrow and said, “I have a different understanding with the president.” He didn’t elaborate too much, and he doesn’t tend to elaborate very often, but they talked a bit more about it. What Quayle told the Washington Post is that Cheney was going to be, in effect, a super-chief of staff.
14.Ibid.
15.Baker, Days of Fire, p. 10.
16.By the time he and Bush started working together, Cheney had developed strong views about presidential power. Under President Ford, he had watched as Congress slowly stripped, one by one, the executive office of the powers it had had under Nixon. To move his policy agenda, Ford had needed to become one of the most prolific users of executive orders in White House history. Cheney carried his belief in a strong executive with him when he was elected to Congress. As he moved up the congressional ladder, he became a strong supporter of President Reagan’s national security agenda—including aiding the Contras. At the time, he met with Reagan’s staff to discuss strategies for circumventing Democratic opposition to Reagan’s actions.
Cheney also acted against efforts in Congress to cut Reagan’s presidential powers by working to prevent the passage of a law that would have forced Reagan to notify Congress within forty-eight hours of any covert action.
When Cheney reentered the administration under George H. W. Bush as secretary of defense, as the war in Kuwait was building, he counseled the president to pursue action without congressional or international coalition support if necessary, saying that in times of war, the president had almost unlimited powers. (In an interview with PBS in 1996, Cheney confessed to having made this recommendation.) Similarly, after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Cheney emphasized to President George W. Bush his belief that the president had no choice but to use all available means to pursue the enemy, and the president agreed.
17.Another argument used often centered on the concept of the “Unitary Executive.” This theory, first raised by such leading figures as Alexander Hamilton during the original constitutional debates, argues that the founders chose to establish a single president atop the executive branch (as opposed to a two- or three-party executive council—which was also under consideration), so that he would have the power to act with dispatch and in secret, using executive-branch officers to execute his will in times of crisis.
18.According to the Frontline documentary “Cheney’s Law,” when Bush was considering what to do about captured enemy combatants and asked for Cheney’s help, the vice president handled the situation in characteristic fashion. Ron Suskind commented on the situation: “[With the decision to try enemy combatants in military tribunals], here you’ve got this thing that Lincoln pulls his hair out over, Roosevelt frets over in terms of the spies. And it happens at lunch, Cheney and Bush. Cheney kind of lays it out and Bush says, ‘Sounds good to me.’ That’s it. There wasn’t a lot of deliberation…. Cheney pretty much framed it all for him and then at lunch he said, ‘Here are the options.’ Bush says, ‘Check Box A,’ and off we go.”
Bush also preferred certainty from his advisers. His decision-making style depended on achieving a level of certainty about an issue so that he felt confident in the decisions once they were made. His advisers picked up on this and crafted their presentations in order to convey certainty. Thus, high-ranking officials would, uncharacteristically, use phrases like “slam dunk” to characterize their assessment of an issue for the president.
In lesser matters, this management approach might be a fitting way to cut through the tall grass of complex issues, but the matters Cheney was dealing with were more than merely complex; they had a constitutional sweep and dealt with life and death. Reducing such matters to simple “yes” and “no” decision points bordered on executive irresponsibility. Frontline, “Cheney’s Law.”
19.Baker, Days of Fire, pp. 5–7.
Adams, Abigail
as first lady, 176, 199
Adams, John
and Abigail Adams, 176
and Alexander Hamilton, 25, 26, 30, 246n9
Adams, John Quincy
and James Monroe, 41
and the Monroe Doctrine, 41
Adams, Sherman
chief of staff duties, 143, 145–46, 149
and Dwight Eisenhower, 12
as alter ego of, 138, 151, 153
compared and contrasted with, 145–46
working relationship, 144, 145–46, 152–53
and John Foster Dulles, 143, 148, 149, 257n11
personality, 143–44
physical appearance and mannerisms, 144
White House influence of, 137, 138, 142, 145, 146, 149, 151
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), 193, 195
Baker, James
and Dick Cheney, 215
and Edwin Meese, 12
working relationship, 158, 159, 164, 165, 166, 170, 174
and Michael Deaver, 170
working relationship, 158, 159, 169, 170, 173, 174
personality, 166
physical appearance and mannerisms, 167
and Ronald Reagan
personal relationship, 159, 165, 167
working relationship, 157, 168, 173
White House responsibilities, 164, 166, 168
Bernstein, Carl, 177, 181
Bryan, William Jennings, 73, 77, 78
Bush, George, W.
and Barbara Bush (mother), 207
and Colin Powell, 218, 223, 262n10
and Condoleezza Rice, 217, 223
and Donald Rumsfeld, 218, 223
drinking problem, 208, 209
and Geo
rge H. W. Bush (father), 206, 218
and Laura Bush (wife), 212
management style, 220, 221, 223, 225, 226, 263n18
personality, 207, 208, 213
and Richard (Dick) Cheney
compared and contrasted with, 205, 215, 218, 220, 223, 224
personal relationship, 209, 215, 218
and vice president search, 216, 217
working relationship, 12, 204, 218, 220, 222–23, 225
Texas Air National Guard pilot, 208, 209
Cannon, Lou, 161, 175
Carter, Jimmy
and Ronald Reagan, 162
and Rosalynn Carter, 201
and Walter Mondale, 229, 233, 234
Carter, Rosalynn
as first lady, 176, 178, 200
and Jimmy Carter, 200
Chase, Salmon, 56, 57
and Abraham Lincoln, 56, 57
and William Seward, 56
Cheney, Richard (Dick)
as congressman, 215–16
and Donald Rumsfeld, 211–12, 213–14
drinking problem, 206, 210
and George W. Bush
personal relationship, 209, 215, 218
and vice president search, 216, 217
working relationship, 12, 19, 204, 205, 215, 218, 220, 222–23, 225, 262n13
and Gerald Ford, 174, 175, 214
and Lynne Cheney (wife), 215
and Marjorie Cheney (mother), 209–10
Paul O’Neill, firing of, 220
personality, 210, 215
presidential powers, views on, 262n16
and Richard Cheney Sr. (father), 210
and war on terror, 203, 205, 221–24
White House influence under George W. Bush, 19, 219, 220, 221
Yale University student, 208, 211
Churchill, Winston
and Franklin Roosevelt, 10
and Harry Hopkins, 10
Clifford, Clark
and coal strike, 130–31
communication gifts, 114, 117–18
and Elsey Report, 132, 256n18
financial burdens of White House service, 126, 255n14
and Frank Clifford (father), 124–25
and George Marshall, 115–19, 235
and Harry Truman
compared and contrasted with, 122
personal relationship, 113
working relationship, 116, 123–24, 128–29, 130–31, 131–33, 135, 255n4
and Harry Vaughn, 131
and Jake Vardaman, 126, 127
and John Steelman rivalry, 130–31, 134, 155, 255n15
and “Judge” Rosenman, 126, 127
personality, 125
physical appearance and mannerisms, 117–18, 255n5
and railroad strike, 128–29
Clinton, George
and Alexander Hamilton, 26
Clinton, Hillary Rodham
as alter ego of Bill, 12, 175, 176, 178, 188
compared and contrasted with Bill, 180, 196
and Dorothy Rodham (mother), 182
as first lady, 176, 178
healthcare reform efforts
Clintons and, 176
efforts of past presidents, 192, 260n27
flaws, 180, 191, 193, 198
and Hugh Rodham (father), 181
insecurities about Bill, 179, 186, 185–87
and 1982 Arkansas gubernatorial campaign loss, 188, 189
and 1984 Arkansas gubernatorial campaign, 190
personality, 177, 179, 182
physical appearance and mannerisms, 189
Clinton, William Jefferson (Bill)
and Hillary Rodham Clinton
personal relationship, 175, 179, 180, 182
working relationship, 175, 176, 178, 190
infidelity, 179
1974 congressional campaign, 188
1982 gubernatorial campaign loss, 188
1984 gubernatorial campaign, 190
personality, 177, 179, 183, 184–85
physical appearance and mannerisms, 185
and Roger Clinton (step-father), 184
and Virginia Clinton (mother), 183, 260n17
and William Blythe (birth father), 184
Cortelyou, George, 16–18
and White House press office, 17, 18
and William McKinley, 15–18
Davis, Jefferson, 59–60
Deaver, Michael
and Alexander Haig, difficulties, 171, 172
and Edwin Meese
personal relationship, 165
working relationship, 156, 158, 159, 165, 169, 170, 173, 174
and James Baker
personal relationship, 170
working relationship, 158, 159, 166, 169, 170, 173, 174
and Nancy Reagan
personal relationship, 169
working relationship, 165, 169
personality, 168, 169
physical appearance and mannerisms, 168, 170
and Ronald Reagan
personal relationship, 169
working relationship, 167, 169, 172
Dulles, John Foster
and cabinet struggle, 139, 142, 143, 149–50
and Dwight Eisenhower, 145, 146, 147, 148
personality, 138, 147
physical appearance and mannerisms, 147
and Richard Nixon, 143, 150
and Sherman Adams, 143, 148, 149, 151, 257n11
Eaton, John
and Andrew Jackson, 64
and Petticoat Affair, 64–65
and Trail of Tears, 64–65
Ehrlichman, John, 134
and H. R. Haldeman, 174
and Richard Nixon, 174
Eisenhower, Dwight
heart attack, 140–42, 153
and Howard Snyder, 140–42, 257n3
and John Foster Dulles, 143, 147, 148
and Mamie Eisenhower (wife), 140, 257n3
personality, 145, 146
and Sherman Adams
compared and contrasted with, 145–46
working relationship, 144, 145–46, 151, 152–53
Elsey Report
and Clark Clifford, 132, 133
and George Elsey, 132, 256n18
Fauchet, Jean, 35
Ford, Gerald, 167, 174, 175, 213–14, 215, 218, 219, 262n16
Gallatin, Albert, 40
Gellman, Barton, 220
George, Alexander and Juliette, 7
and Woodrow Wilson, 7
Goodwin, Doris Kearns, 53
Gore, Albert
and William Jefferson (Bill) Clinton, 201, 202, 219, 229, 233, 234
Haig, Alexander
and Edwin Meese, 171
firing of, 172–73
and Michael Deaver, 170, 172
personality, 170
physical appearance and mannerisms, 171
and Ronald Reagan, 172
Haldeman, H. R., 155, 174
Hamilton, Alexander, 21
ambition of, 22, 24, 27, 31, 32, 42
and Camillus pseudonym, 38–39
George Clinton, Hamilton’s dislike of, 26
and George Washington, 11
as alter ego of, 23, 24, 36
compared and contrasted with, 23, 27, 32, 33
conflicts with, 24–25
first presidential election, 25–26
personal relationship, 24–25
working relationship, 11, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24–25, 33, 35–39, 40, 42, 244n2
humble beginnings, 30–31
and James Hamilton (father), 30–31
and Jay Treaty, 35–39
John Adams’s dislike of, 26, 30, 42
personality, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33
physical appearance and mannerisms, 30, 32
and Rachel Hamilton (mother), 30–31
and Rufus King, 38–39
and Thomas Jefferson, 39, 40, 64, 263
“Harry and Louise” and healthcare reform, 194, 195
Hearst, William Randolph, 15
Hopkins, Harry
>
and Franklin Roosevelt, 9
illness, 10
and Winston Churchill, 10
House, Edward
and Edith Wilson
personal relationship, 69, 83, 84, 85, 87
and Paris Peace Conference, 83–87
personality, 70, 72, 78, 80
physical appearance and mannerisms, 72
political campaigns, 72–73, 251n3
and William Jennings Bryan, 73
and Woodrow Wilson, 7, 11
as alter ego of, 68
compared and contrasted with, 74, 78
manipulation of, 67, 69, 78, 79, 80
personal relationship, 68, 80, 81, 82, 85, 87
working relationship, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
Howe, Louis
and Edward Howe (father), 94
and Eleanor Roosevelt, 91, 101–103, 105
employment struggles, 94–96
and Franklin Roosevelt, 11
compared and contrasted with, 11
management of political comeback, 101–103, 104–106
1912 New York state senate campaign, 95–96
1920 presidential campaign, 102
1924 Democratic convention, 103, 108
personal relationship, 91, 92, 99, 100, 111
and Roosevelt’s polio, 99–101
working relationship, 92, 93, 96–97, 98, 101, 102–103, 104, 105, 109, 111, 254n15
and Grace Howe (wife), 93–94, 95, 253n2, 253n4
and Lide Howe (mother), 94–95
personality, 96, 111
physical appearance and mannerisms, 96
Jackson, Andrew
and John Eaton, 64–65
and Trail of Tears, 64–65
Jay, John
and Alexander Hamilton, 35
and Jay Treaty, 35, 37, 39, 247n14
Jay Treaty, 33, 36, 247n16, 247n18
Alexander Hamilton’s role, 35–40
John Jay’s role, 35
Jefferson, Thomas
and Albert Gallatin, 40
and Alexander Hamilton, 40, 64, 236
and George Washington, 246n11
and Jay Treaty, 37, 38–39
Kennedy, John F.
and Robert F. Kennedy, 41
King, Rufus
and Alexander Hamilton, 38–39
Kissinger, Henry, 171, 214, 217
Kushner, Jared, 230, 236
Lansing, Robert, 83, 88
Lasby, Clarence, 140, 141, 142, 257n5
Lasswell, Harold Dwight, 179, 180, 259n4
LeHand, Missy, 19, 105, 110, 111, 154
Lincoln, Abraham
and Alexander Stephens, 60–64
depression, 52–53, 249n16
and 1860 presidential campaign, 46, 47
Emancipation Proclamation, 57–59, 62
Partner to Power Page 30