For someone who was so powerful in his day, the tributes that have come after the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney on Tuesday at the age of 84 have been muted. Save for a perfunctory statement issued by the White House and noting that flags over government buildings should be lowered to half-staff, as of Wednesday morning President Donald Trump has said nothing in tribute — although he owes Cheney a debt of gratitude.

But as one of the most consequential politicians of his era, Cheney left a mark on American politics and government that has changed the system forever. His legacy is much more complicated than anyone would have expected when he left office in 2009 as the most unpopular vice president in American history.

According to a New York Times/ CBS News poll, during his la

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