You really DON'T know what you're talking about
Up until Cheney, the Vice President's office was not that powerful or that much of a deal, other than that if the President died, he would become President.
Bush has given Cheney freedom to act. This VP can (and does and has) influence economics, help put people into various offices. And hides what he does. That's power under cover. If he had no power, he wouldn't have a bloody thing to hide. But he does have power and he's hiding what he has done and is doing. If you can't see it, you're wearing blinders.