Sadly for me, I signed up on Dec 16, 2001. But I could imagine the infighting going on here at the time Cheney was tapped to be Bush's VP nominee. I'll bet the charge of "cronyism" probably entered into the debate a number of times.
I do recall the media going to bat and bringing up the "oil buddies connection" charge.
Too old.
Too sick.
Too close to Nixon/Ford/Bush 41.
Too close to Halliburton.
And a lot worse.