Dick Cheney

Richard Bruce Cheney (born January 30, 1941) is an American politician and businessman affiliated with the U.S. Republican Party. He is currently serving as the 46th Vice President of the United States under George W. Bush.

"Dick" Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. He grew up in Casper, Wyoming, and attended the University of Wyoming[?]. He is married to Lynne V. Cheney[?], an author and college teacher.

He began serving the Nixon administration in 1969. Under President Gerald Ford, Cheney became Assistant to the President and White House Chief of Staff. In 1977 he was elected to represent Wyoming in Congress, and was re-elected five times. In 1989 he became United States Secretary of Defense under President George H. W. Bush, and in this capacity played a significant role in the Gulf War of 1991.

Cheney joined the American Enterprise Institute in 1993. In 1995 he became President and CEO of Halliburton Company, and energy services company. As Vice President, Cheney currently receives up to US $1,000,000 in deferred salary payments from Halliburton. He sat on the board of Procter & Gamble[?], Union Pacific[?], and EDS.

Supporters of Vice President Cheney point to his reputation for knowledge and character. Opponents and detractors accuse him of being closely tied to the oil industry.

Widely considered to be one of the more hawkish members of the cabinet Dick Cheney was one of the the leading forces in the Bush administration's campaign to invade Iraq. He is a member of the Project for the New American Century, which in September 2000 proposed an invasion of Iraq. This eventually led to the 2003 Iraq war.