Dick Cheney - Public Perception

Public Perception

Cheney's early public opinion polls were more favorable than unfavorable, reaching his peak approval rating in the wake of the September 11th attacks at 68 percent. However, polling numbers for both him and the president gradually declined in their second terms, with Cheney reaching his lowest point shortly before leaving office at 13 percent. Cheney's Gallup poll figures are mostly consistent with those from other polls:

• April 2001 – 63% approval, 21% disapproval
• January 2002 – 68% approval, 18% disapproval
• January 2004 – 56% approval, 36% disapproval
• January 2005 – 50% approval, 40% disapproval
• January 2006 – 41% approval, 46% disapproval
• July 2007 – 30% approval, 60% disapproval
• March 2009 – 30% approval, 63% disapproval

In April 2007, Cheney was awarded an honorary doctorate of public service by Brigham Young University, where he delivered the commencement address. His selection as commencement speaker was controversial. The college board of trustees issued a statement explaining that the invitation should be viewed "as one extended to someone holding the high office of vice president of the United States rather than to a partisan political figure". BYU permitted a protest to occur so long as it did not "make personal attacks against Cheney, attack (the) BYU administration, the church or the First Presidency".

Cheney has often been compared to Darth Vader, a characterization originated by his critics but later adopted humorously by Cheney himself as well as members of his family and staff.