Dick Richardson

Dick Richardson was the President of the United States from 2239-2242, at the time of Fallout 2. His title, however, meant that he only led people aligned to the militaristic organization known as Enclave based around an old Oil Rig. He was very willing to explain the Enclave's entire plan to the Chosen One.

Background
President Richardson is the leader of the Enclave and the main villain of Fallout 2. Richardson controls the military strength of the Enclave, and is the head of patriotic propaganda campaign targeted on the people of the Oil Rig. He is in charge of the Enclave's master plan to free the US from all mutants by killing nearly all life on the continent. Despite that he is one of the shortest living characters in the entire game, he practically reveals all the background storyline questions regarding the Enclave, their reason behind digging up Mariposa Military Base, and their connection with the Vaults, as well as the reasons for the kidnapping of the Chosen One's fellow tribesmen. By his own claims, President Richardson does not find any joy or pleasure in the Enclave's plan of exterminating the people on the mainland using the FEV, but is calmly accepting of what he sees as a necessary evil.

At the time of Fallout 2, the destruction of the Enclave would seem to have erased all trace of President Richardson from history, with the title of "President" now used simply as a boogeyman used to frighten children. However, President John Henry Eden from Fallout 3 refers to President Richardson as one of America's many leaders he studied for inspiration.

During Fallout 3, it is revealed from a computer in Grayditch that Richardson, like Eden after him, used patriotic broadcasts aimed on the Oil Rig inhabitants to strengthen his own position and the Enclave's overall goal.

Appearances
Dick Richardson appears only in Fallout 2. He holds the Presidential Access Keycard (which may only be obtained by killing him, though there are several ways this can be achieved without alerting the entire Enclave), which allows you to turn the turrets against their former master. This only works on the turrets in the Entrance hall.

In Fallout 3, Richardson is also mentioned by in the Enclave Soldier deserter's computer terminal in Grayditch, at the opposite side of The Wilk's house, as well as by Owyn Lyons. He is also mentioned by John Henry Eden when the PC meets him "face-to-face", or "face-to-screen."

President Richardson is a Talking Head voiced by Jeffrey Jones.

Behind the scenes
In the movie Clear And Present Danger (1994) the President of the United States says a similar line near the end of the movie: "How dare you come and barge in to my office!" to the movie's main character Jack Ryan. In Clear And Present Danger the president was portrayed as a corrupt and power hungry politician.

His name may also be a reference to former US president: Richard Nixon, considering that Dick is short for Richard. However it is also likely that his name is a simple play on words: Richard Richardson.