Absence of Dick

“Dick Cheney operates in the shadows, leaving no fingerprints, and no sense of history.” — Jane Mayer, Author of The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How The War on Terror Turned Into a War on American Ideals.

Dick Cheney’s absence from major public events such as presidential inaugurations, funerals, and other state occasions has been a subject of public curiosity, and it offers insight into both his personal choices and his public persona. Cheney, the vice president under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, is known for his complicated political heritage, which includes a mixture of influence, secrecy, and shrewd maneuvering. His reluctance to attend high-profile events after his vice presidency is often interpreted as both a personal and political statement.

A Complicated Relationship with Public Life

Cheney has never been particularly known for being an overtly public figure, even during his time in office. While other political figures, including former presidents and vice presidents, typically engage in public ceremonies and appearances, Cheney has consistently chosen to remain out of the limelight in the years following his time in power. His absence from events like presidential inaugurations and funerals can be seen as a reflection of his personal distaste for the public spectacle that surrounds such events.