Bush was a figurehead president

[TheDrake]

There have been others, like Grant. No one can ever accuse Trump of being one so for once we don't have to have him in the discussion.

[Seriati]

I might be willing to play this game, but not unless you actually make an arguable case.   What actual evidence do you have?

[TheDrake]

This article lays it out

Most significantly, Cheney was the architect of the Iraq war. Many powerful cabinet positions were his longtime allies, such as Rumsfeld.

Add to that the fact that he recommended himself to be VP.

So that makes him influential, but other people have been influential. Mind you, the VP job has generally been pretty quiet, at least publically.

Some was his public persona. He didn't wear the mantle of authority very well. He liked goofing around - giving reporters playful nicknames. He was often "misunderestimated" when it came to intelligence.

He also never had a powerful Chief of Staff who normally wields the president's power and agenda significantly.