In 1977, Rumsfeld wins the Presidential Medal of Freedom and becomes the successful CEO of a large pharmaceutical company. His political ambitions remain, and he is often mentioned as a potential vice-presidential candidate.

Cheney also leaves Washington in 1977, but not for long. He goes back to his home state of Wyoming and is promptly elected to Congress, along with his friend Newt Gingrich. His hard-line conservativism is masked by his quiet nature.

· Cheney the "moderate?" >

The neo-conservative movement is now a full-blown challenge to both Kissinger and the liberal Democrats, but Wolfowitz, at DOD, has other things to worry about. Like many neocons who distrust the intelligence community, he thinks the CIA is underestimating the threat of the Soviet Union.

· Three schools of foreign policy emerge >

Wolfowitz spends his days pondering the possibility of an Iraqi attack on Saudi Arabia or Kuwait. Although the threat seems unlikely at the time, he decides the best way to face it is to start developing an infrastructure for invading the Middle East -- just in case.

Armitage has a hard time finding a job that suits him as much as his Vietnam War days. But he finally gains a foothold in Washington when he takes a position assisting Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.), who is a hawk, war hero, and Senate Majority Leader.

Ronald Reagan is the obvious choice for the Republican nomination for president -- but who will be his running mate? In a last-minute decision, Reagan picks George Bush, Rumsfeld's rival, and Rumsfeld misses his chance at holding a nationally elected office.

· The would-be VP >