Slow Burn, Season 5, Episode 5: "Four Dicks (and Vice President Cheney)"

Release Date: May 26, 2021
Host: Noreen Malone (Slate Podcasts)
Theme: This episode explores the congressional road to authorizing the Iraq War, focusing on four influential congressional leaders—all named Dick—and Vice President Dick Cheney. It investigates the intersection of principle and politics, the crumbling of post-9/11 bipartisanship, the instrumentalization of intelligence, and the personal ambitions and pressures influencing the vote to go to war.

Episode Overview

The episode lays out how, after the unity of 9/11, both political and personal agendas shaped Congress's fateful 2002 vote to authorize force against Iraq—a decision that would have lasting consequences. Through in-depth interviews and archival audio, Noreen Malone dissects the motivations and processes behind the war resolution, focusing on four prominent lawmakers named Dick (Dick Armey, Dick Durbin, Dick Lugar, Dick Gephardt) and the pivotal role played by Vice President Cheney.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Collapse of Bipartisanship after 9/11

• [01:32–04:23] In the wake of 9/11, there was unprecedented cooperation between Democrats and Republicans (“the Gang of Five”), symbolized by the famous Bush-Daschle hug.
• Barbara Lee’s Lone Dissent: Congresswoman Lee (D-CA) recalls her principled and solitary vote against the initial Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), warning of “forever wars.”
  • Quote: “This sets the stage for forever wars, perpetual wars.” — Barbara Lee, [04:17]
• Atmosphere of Intimidation: Lee describes intense pressure and even death threats that followed her dissent.
  • Quote: “For Barbara Lee, the political climate after 9/11 felt unwise and dangerous.” [06:44]

The Iraq War Comes to Congress

• [07:49–10:36] By 2002, the spirit of bipartisanship faded. The fight over the Department of Homeland Security and then Iraq became highly politicized, as the Bush administration leveraged national security as a wedge.
• Karl Rove’s Strategy: White House focused on painting Democrats as weak on national security—a message reinforced both in internal strategy documents and Bush’s rhetoric.
  • Quote: “We can go to the country confidently on this issue because Americans trust the Republican Party to do a better job of keeping our communities and our families safe.” — Karl Rove, [09:09]
• Daschle’s Outrage: Senate Leader Tom Daschle pushed back on the politicization of war.
  • Quote: “We ought not politicize the rhetoric about war and life and death.” — Tom Daschle, [10:18]

The “Four Dicks” — Congressional Key Players

1. Dick Armey: The Reluctant Texan Conservative

• [11:52–14:22]
• Initially opposed to the Iraq invasion, Armey threatens to provide bipartisan cover against the war.
• Intense White House lobbying ensues: President Bush tries personally, ultimately sending in Vice President Cheney.
• Cheney’s Tactics: Claims (beyond what CIA believed) that Iraq was developing a “suitcase nuke.”
• Armey Cave-in: After meetings with Cheney, Armey falls in line, removing significant Republican opposition to the war.
  • Quote: “Cheney opened the briefing by saying, ‘I know when I’m done, you will agree with me that this is the right course of action.’” [13:10]

2. Dick Durbin: The Skeptical Democrat

• [14:22–20:39]
• As a member of the Intelligence Committee, Durbin questions the Administration’s evidence for WMD, particularly the lack of a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE).
• Forces quick production of an NIE (normally takes months, but rushed in “19 days”), which proves deeply flawed and ultimately reinforces preconceptions.
  • Quote: “It was not a serious effort. It was not based on reliable intelligence sources.” — Dick Durbin, [17:38]
• Only a handful of Senators actually study the full NIE.

3. Dick Lugar: The Moderate Compromiser

• [20:39–25:01]
• Lugar and Biden propose a compromise (Biden-Lugar) bill: Authorization conditioned on UN approval and focused strictly on WMD, not regime change.
• They try to rally moderates from both parties and have quiet backing from Colin Powell, but are persistently undercut by the White House.
• Daschle’s Dilemma: Majority Leader Daschle must balance conscience, public pressure, and his party’s political fortunes.
  • Quote: “It wasn't just a question of what's the right policy, but how do you defend yourself politically...” — Tom Daschle, [23:08]

4. Dick Gephardt: The Pragmatic Presidential Hopeful

• [25:01–32:52]
• Gephardt strikes a deal with the White House for the administration's preferred “blank check” resolution, blindsiding Biden-Lugar supporters.
• Gephardt positions himself (and his party) to avoid being labeled weak on defense, likely motivated by 2004 presidential ambitions.
  • Quote: “Once Representative Gephardt showed up at the White House, the ball game was over.” — Dan Diller (Lugar’s staffer), [30:17]
• Gephardt’s memory of his motives is disputed by the episode’s reporting.
• The Rose Garden signing touts “bipartisanship,” but it means acquiescing to the White House agenda. Daschle and many Senate Democrats skip the ceremony.
• Biden’s Frustration: “The straight honest answer is it's probably too late.” — Joe Biden, [32:15]

The Vote and Its Fallout

• [32:52–39:05]
• Ultimately, most Democratic leaders, even prior war skeptics like Biden and Lugar, vote yes. The resolution passes easily in both chambers ([36:34]).
• Notable dissenters: Barbara Lee and Paul Wellstone. Wellstone’s principled no vote, despite reelection risk, is highlighted.
  • Quote: “It’s all right if it does. People of Minnesota know who I am, they know what I believe, and that's what this vote’s all about.” — Paul Wellstone (via Durbin), [39:05]
• The political reality: Most members in tight races support the war for electoral protection.
  • Quote: “I have to do this for political survival. But I know it’s the wrong thing to do.” — Anonymous senator, [38:17]

Legacy and Reflections

• Aftermath: Many key supporters later express regret (e.g., Gephardt: “In retrospect, I’m sorry that I sponsored the resolution.” [40:47]). The 2002 AUMF remains in effect, used by later presidents for new conflicts.
• No Electoral Gain: Despite Democratic support for Bush, Republicans gain seats in 2002.
• Was War Inevitable? Most believe Bush was determined to invade regardless of congressional resistance.
  • Quote: “I think it was a fait accompli.” — Tom Daschle, [42:08]
• Portrait of Leadership: Bush described as clear in his determination to act, even if unclear in rationale.
  • Quote: “He oftentimes wasn't clear what he wanted to do. He just was clear he wanted to do it.” — Tom Daschle, [42:58]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Barbara Lee’s Outlier Stand:
  • “This sets the stage for forever wars, perpetual wars.” — Barbara Lee [04:17]
• Tom Daschle’s Anger:
  • “We ought not politicize the rhetoric about war and life and death.” — Daschle [10:18]
• Vice President Cheney’s Pressure Tactics:
  • “I know when I’m done, you will agree with me that this is the right course of action.” — Cheney (as remembered by Armey) [13:10]
• Durbin on the NIE:
  • “It was not a serious effort. It was not based on reliable intelligence sources.” — Dick Durbin [17:38]
• Dan Diller on the Gephardt Deal:
  • “Once Representative Gephardt showed up at the White House, the ball game was over.” — Dan Diller [30:17]
• Biden’s Frustration:
  • “The straight honest answer is it's probably too late.” — Joe Biden [32:15]
• Paul Wellstone’s Integrity:
  • “It’s all right if it does. People of Minnesota know who I am, they know what I believe, and that's what this vote’s all about.” — Paul Wellstone (via Durbin) [39:05]

Key Timestamps

• 01:32–04:17: Post-9/11 bipartisanship and Barbara Lee’s dissent
• 07:49–10:36: Bush administration politicizes national security and preparations for Iraq War debate
• 11:52–14:22: Dick Armey’s initial opposition and Cheney’s pitch
• 14:22–20:39: Dick Durbin’s battle for real intelligence analysis
• 20:39–25:01: The Biden-Lugar alternative and failed middle way
• 25:01–32:52: Dick Gephardt’s backchannel deal with the White House
• 36:34–39:05: Congressional vote, Wellstone’s stand, patterns of political expedience

Conclusion

This episode offers a fascinating, nuanced look at how the Iraq War resolution was shaped less by careful scrutiny and more by fear, ambition, and political calculation. The “Four Dicks” provide a study in contrast—principled opposition, cautious compromise, and self-preservation all collide. Vice President Cheney’s hard-sell and the Bush administration’s determination made resistance nearly impossible. In the end, only a handful of lawmakers stood on unshakable principle; most others were swept along by calculation and circumstance, a cautionary tale about moments when history pivots on the compromises of leaders.