Dangerous VPs -- Burr and Cheney


There is a growing movement calling for the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney for all manner of abuses of power. For decade upon decade the Vice Presidency was a pretty cushy job, unless of course the President died in office -- then you'd have to work for a living. But that has been changing of late. Al Gore had taken on increased roles during the Clinton administration and since 2001, Dick Cheney has hoarded to himself all kinds of powers and has sought to distance himself from any kind of accountability and oversight.

Eric Rauchway in a New Republic on-line piece compares Aaron Burr and Dick Cheney -- both were seekers for power and were not shy about mixing business and politics. Burr would be indicted for treason for allegedly trying to conspire to create an empire for himself out of the western parts of the North American continent. He would of course, also kill Alexander Hamilton in a duel. He was to be sure -- cold blooded -- a Machiavellian conspirator and after Burr's near steal of the presidency in 1800 Congress made sure that the VP would not be an ambitious sort.

The personalities are similar but the powers are not. Cheney has learned well how to evade scrutiny and to place his stamp on American life, especially it's foreign policy. If war does happen with Iran (which I pray Congress will keep from happening) it will be because of his efforts.

Rauchway suggests that rather than wrangle over whether Cheney is the worst VP ever, that we consider the prospect that he gives Aaron Burr a run for his money as the nation's most dangerous VP ever. I think that this is likely the better interpretation of the facts.

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