In this critical investigation of former vice president Cheney’s role in George W. Bush’s administration, Warshaw (The Keys to Power
) reveals how Bush and Cheney split the presidency, each using the office’s power to advance agendas that rarely overlapped. This suited Bush’s limited agenda and experience well; while he focused on education reform and faith-based initiatives, he was content to leave Cheney in charge of economic and foreign policy. As head of Bush’s transition team, Cheney staffed virtually the entire administration with longtime associates who shared his vision of a strong—some have called it “imperial”—executive. He and his staff controlled political appointments and drafted most of the 800-plus signing statements affixed to bills that declared the president’s refusal to enforce selected parts of laws passed by Congress. Warshaw rejects analyses that portray either Cheney or Karl Rove as puppet masters in favor of portraying Bush as capable in the spheres that mattered to him, where Cheney was careful not to interfere. Thoroughly researched and insightful into the complexities of both personalities, the book offers an engaging look at the most controversial presidency since Nixon’s. (June)
