If Wyoming had a Mount Rushmore for large Wyoming personalities who were on the national TV news constantly, it could very well have featured Al Simpson, Dick Cheney, Gerry Spence, and Foster Friess. All were constantly appearing on national TV programs in their prime.
These four guys put the country’s smallest state on a very large national platform every time they did it. Wyoming grew in stature every time they appeared before national audiences.
They all loved Wyoming and were proud of their home state. They had good long marriages to remarkable women and three of them wrote books or had books written about them.
In my career, I knew them all and interviewed them many times.
All Four Are Gone
With former Vice-President Dick Cheney’s recent death on Nov. 3 at the age of 84, all these men have now passed away.
Two others, former U. S. Senator Al Simpson, 93, and famed trial lawyer Gerry Spence, 96, died earlier this year. It has not been a good year for Wyoming icons. GOP mega-donor and former gubernatorial candidate Foster Friess was the first to go, dying of cancer at the age of 81 in 2021.
The late and great U. S. Sen. Mike Enzi was a giant but pretty much avoided being on TV.
Our current senior U.S. Senator John Barrasso is a national star and is on TV all the time. He is a legitimate media personality.
For years, he promoted Wyoming health fairs with TV spots promoting good health. But it was not until he ascended to one of the top three spots in the Senate that he suddenly was on national TV constantly.
He was scheduled to be on NBC’s Meet The Press Show today (Sunday).
However, this column focuses on Cheney, Simpson, Spence, and Friess and refers back to a 40-year period from 1980 to 2020.
Dick Cheney Was Powerful
Cheney’s tenure is among the most consequential — and contested — of any U.S. vice president. He is often described as “the most powerful vice president in American history.”
Both as Defense Secretary and as Vice-President, he was in the news constantly.
He played a leading role in shaping post-9/11 policy, U.S. national security strategy, and the decision to invade Iraq.
His legacy in Wyoming is full of contrasts: while his long service and national prominence brought attention to the state, the state’s current political climate (strongly pro-Trump) has distanced itself from his brand of conservatism.
Gerry Spence Was Colorful
It was always fun to watch Spence, especially, during his TV appearances where he always wore a fringed leather jacket, colorful hat, and big bolo tie.
Spence was all over CNN in the 1990s and was always commenting on various trials.
Those of us in the news business often reported on Spence. The famous trial lawyer, known for an undefeated record in criminal cases, was a frequent guest and legal commentator on CNN, particularly on shows like “Larry King Live.”
I watched Spence in action at several trials and he was just incredible.
He seemed to have the judge, jury, and audience eating out of the palm of his hand. He reminded me more of a country preacher, like a Jimmy Swaggart. His use of words was amazing and his effect was hypnotic.
While he made numerous appearances on CNN and other news networks, he also had his own talk show on CNBC from 1995-1996.
Simpson And Kennedy Sparred
Simpson and the late U. S. Sen. Ted Kennedy had their own radio and TV programs where they would argue conservative versus liberal positions. They were tough on each other but kept it friendly. Hard to imagine such a show being aired today.
The late senator was well known for his sharp wit, his willingness to cross party lines, and his focus on pragmatic governance. He came to embody a form of Wyoming public service rooted in personal relationships, in listening and bridging divides.
His post-Senate work (including co-chairing the Simpson–Bowles fiscal commission) underscored his interest in the long-term fiscal health of the country.
His passing marks the end of a chapter of statesmanship rooted in the idea of service as character. For Wyoming, he remains an example of how one can act both for the state and for country, with integrity and wit.
Foster Friess Loved Wyoming
Foster Friess made Wyoming his home in Jackson Hole, and was active in the state’s civic and political life. Over time he became a major Republican donor and philanthropist, especially connected to Christian-conservative causes.
I knew Foster well having worked for his 2018 gubernatorial campaign.
Friess represented a different kind of Wyoming icon: one who blended business, philanthropy, and politics.
He showed that the state was a home not only for politicians and trial lawyers, but also for national-level donors and civic players who helped shape causes beyond Wyoming’s borders.
Bill Sniffin can be reached at bill@cowboystatedaily.com
