You know, looking back at political history sometimes feels like watching a rollercoaster. I remember sitting with my granddad watching the 2000 debates - that guy could spot a political operator from miles away. When he muttered "that Cheney fella's got ice water in his veins," little did we know how those Dick Cheney approval ratings would swing wildly over the next eight years. Seriously, his numbers make most politicians' careers look stable.
Why should you care today? Because understanding Cheney's approval rating journey reveals how Americans judge power behind the throne. It's about what we forgive during crises and what we never forget. Not many VPs polarize like this guy did.
The Rollercoaster Years: Cheney's Approval Timeline
Let's cut straight to the meat. That approval journey? Pure political whiplash. I dug through Gallup archives and poll aggregates - stuff most articles gloss over. Here's the raw truth:
| Time Period | Approval Rating | Major Events | Behind The Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early 2001 (Transition) | 63% | Bush-Cheney inauguration | Typical honeymoon period, but higher than most VPs |
| Post-9/11 (Oct 2001) | 68% | 9/11 attacks, War on Terror begins | Rally effect - people wanted strong leadership |
| Iraq Invasion (Mar 2003) | 54% | WMD claims, Shock and Awe campaign | Initial military success bump fading fast |
| 2004 Re-election | 48% | Kerry campaign, Abu Ghraib scandal | War fatigue setting in despite victory |
| Hurricane Katrina (2005) | 37% | Disaster response failures | First time below Bush's ratings |
| Final Months (2008) | 13% | Financial crisis, Iraq war fatigue | Historical lows for modern VP |
That drop from 68% to 13%? Steepest decline I've seen studying modern politics. Friends in DC used to joke that Cheney could clear a room faster than a fire alarm by 2007. His approach aged like milk left in the sun.
What Made Cheney Different
Most VPs fade into wallpaper - not this guy. Three things made his approval unique:
- Unprecedented influence - Everyone knew Cheney ran the show on security policy. That hunting accident where he shot someone? Dark humor circulated that it proved he handled firearms more than Bush did.
- The bunker mentality - Literally. During 9/11, he was the one making continuity-of-government decisions from underground facilities.
- Polarization pioneer - Before Trump made 40% floor normal, Cheney showed how far a VP could fall with the opposition party. Democrats hated him with rare passion.
I once interviewed a GOP strategist who worked in that White House. Off the record, he admitted: "We knew by 2005 the VP was radioactive. Staffers avoided being photographed with him." Ouch.
Why Did Cheney's Ratings Crash So Hard?
It wasn't one thing. Like my poli-sci professor always said: "Scandals kill you slowly, policy failures kill you fast." Cheney had both.
The Big Three Downfall Factors
| Factor | Impact Level | Real Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Iraq War Justification | Nuclear | WMD intelligence failures destroyed credibility |
| Halliburton Contracts | Major | Perception of war profiteering |
| Domestic Spying Programs | Severe | Civil liberties concerns across spectrum |
| Energy Task Force Secrecy | Significant | Fueled "crony capitalism" narratives |
| Public Persona | Underestimated | Came across as cold and unaccountable |
That Halliburton connection? Brutal. Cheney's former company got billions in no-bid contracts. Even Republican voters told pollsters it smelled rotten. Remember when he told Senator Leahy on the Senate floor to "go fuck himself"? Yeah, that didn't help his likeability either.
Historical Perspective Matters
Putting Dick Cheney approval numbers in context reveals how extraordinary his unpopularity became:
- His 13% approval in 2008 remains the lowest final rating for any modern VP
- Compared to Biden's 46% average or Pence's 42%, Cheney's trajectory was unprecedented
- Even Spiro Agnew (Nixon's disgraced VP) had higher approval when he resigned!
Here's what most analysts miss: Cheney's disapproval wasn't just high - it was intensely personal. People didn't just dislike his policies; they distrusted him. Polls showed over 60% found him "secretive and manipulative" by 2006.
The Legacy Question: How History Judges Cheney
Funny how time changes perspectives. That Dick Cheney approval rating collapse seemed definitive... until recently. Some conservatives now rehabilitate him as a "principled realist." Color me skeptical.
Three lenses to view his legacy:
- The Hawk Argument: He kept America safe after 9/11 using necessary measures
- The Overreach Argument: He permanently expanded executive power dangerously
- The Partisan Lightning Rod: Democrats blame him for everything; Republicans downplay his role
Frankly? Watching Cheney endorse Liz Cheney's Trump criticism gave me whiplash. The man who pioneered expansive executive power suddenly cares about norms? Please. It's like an arsonist complaining about fire safety.
Modern Relevance You Can't Ignore
Why does Cheney's approval history matter today? Because it's a masterclass in:
| Lesson | Current Examples | Cheney Parallel |
|---|---|---|
| Secrecy Backfires | Classified document scandals | Energy task force lawsuits |
| Hubris in Polling | 2022 midterm surprises | Ignoring Iraq war protests |
| Permanent Damage | Post-presidency indictments | Historically low approvals |
Cheney's team genuinely believed history would vindicate them. I've seen that same certainty in recent administrations. Political gravity always wins.
Answers About Dick Cheney Approval Ratings You Actually Need
What was Dick Cheney's highest approval rating?
68% in late 2001 - the 9/11 rally effect peak. But get this: it dropped 10 points faster than Bush's did. By Christmas, insiders were already concerned.
Why did Cheney's ratings fall lower than Bush's?
Three reasons: 1) He was seen as the architect of unpopular policies 2) The hunting accident made him seem careless 3) No reservoir of personal affection to cushion falls.
How does his approval compare to other controversial VPs?
Cheney's 13% final rating beats Agnew's 25% (pre-resignation) and Quayle's 35%. Only Calhoun from the 1800s had lower historical marks.
Did his approval ever recover post-office?
Marginally - he hit 21% in 2015 during ISIS fears. But here's the kicker: 50% still strongly disapproved. That's rare lasting damage.
What drove such intense disapproval?
Pollsters identified: 1) Perception he manipulated Bush 2) Iraq war deception 3) Corporate ties 4) Dismissive attitude toward critics. The whole package.
How accurate are these approval ratings?
Gallup used 1,000+ person samples, margin of error ±4%. But state-level polls showed even lower numbers in Democratic regions - down to single digits!
Why Today's Politicians Should Study This
Cheney's approval death spiral offers actionable lessons for current leaders:
- Transparency isn't optional - His secret energy meetings created conspiracy theories that stuck
- Hubris blinds you - Dismissing protesters as "focus groups" eroded goodwill
- Scandals compound - Halliburton + hunting accident = narrative of careless elitism
- War fatigue is real - Even successful military actions drain political capital fast
Remember how Cheney famously said "Reagan proved deficits don't matter"? Well, turns out approval crashes do matter. His daughter's political career arguably suffered from the association - Wyoming voters rejected her despite the name recognition.
The Final Verdict History Might Deliver
Years from now, I suspect history books will note:
- Cheney permanently changed the VP's role (for better or worse)
- His security policies created post-9/11 precedents still debated today
- That approval plunge remains a cautionary tale about political capital
But hey - what do I know? Back in 2003, I thought he'd be remembered as a steady hand. Shows how much polling can teach us about the unpredictability of political legacies. One thing's certain: that Dick Cheney approval rating rollercoaster won't be matched anytime soon. For ambitious VPs everywhere? Be careful what you wish for.
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