What is remarkable is the timing of Cheney's earlier purchase of a residence in Washington.
After serving as Secretary of Defense through January 1993, Cheney joined the American Enterprise Institute, a right-wing think tank. In October 1995 Cheney became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Halliburton. Cheney quickly moved to Dallas, corporate headquarters. Nothing remarkable about that either.
A life-long pol, in 2000 Cheney gravitated to George Bush's presidential campaign. He maneuvered to be placed in charge of the vice-presidential selection committee. Several months later, Cheney selected himself. On July 25, 2000, George Bush invited Richard Cheney to be Vice President in his administration.
Which brings us to a remarkable coincidence of timing.
Over six months earlier, on January 12, Cheney spent $1,350,000 to purchase a home at 1126 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax County, Virginia, across the Potomac from Washington DC.
But not to live in or to entertain guests, either on behalf of Halliburton or otherwise. Soon after the purchase, Cheney had the existing home razed. The lot remained vacant for years.
This raises a logical question:
When did Richard Cheney know, with confidence sufficient to justify purchase and demolition of a $1,350,000 residence, that George Bush would be elected and that Cheney would be selected to play an important role in the administration and need to move to Washington?
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
