Part 9/11:
While Cheney exerted significant influence, Mark clarified that his relationship with President George W. Bush was cooperative, not exploitative. The administration’s handling of 9/11 and its aftermath represented a true collaboration, with Cheney playing a central role. The narrative of a Svengali-like control over Bush was dismissed, emphasizing instead the partnership that defined that era.
The Human Element and Cheney's Resilience
One particularly riveting detail from Mark’s recounting was Cheney’s survival of a major cardiac event in the 1970s. At his passing, Cheney was the only person alive who could detail his experience with that health crisis, exemplifying his resilience and the long arc of his life.