Former Vice President Dick Cheney traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan during a national book tour for his autobiography “In My Time”. Cheney spoke at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel on September 21, 2011 to a packed house of former colleagues, Foundation Trustees, Friends of Ford members and those those lucky enough to receive a ticket.
Steve Ford introduced Dick Cheney, touching on Cheney’s time with President Gerald R. Ford during a turbulent time for our country. Ford and Cheney lead our nation during a Cold War with U.S.S.R., following Watergate, during the War in Vietnam, high inflation, high unemployment and an energy crisis.
The “In My Time” event featured Cheney’s daughter, Elizabeth, as the moderator of a conversation covering his lengthy time in politics. Cheney served in the Gerald R. Ford White House as Chief of Staff, Campaign Manager of Ford’s 1976’s Presidential Campaign, U.S. Congressman from the State of Wyoming, Secretary of Defense and as the 46th Vice President of the United States.
Throughout the evening, Cheney spoke about the time in his life that he was kicked out of Yale and thrown in jail. He also touches on his friendship with Donald Rumsfeld, who was Ford’s Chief of Staff prior to his nomination to become Secretary of Defense. Cheney stated that Ford’s legacy was one of a strong leader, and maybe the only person who could lead the nation following the Watergate Scandal and resignation of President Richard Nixon. Cheney also talked about the George W. Bush White House and how important of a role his family played throughout his life.
