Former U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney has shocked political observers by announcing his intention to vote for Vice-President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. The lifelong Republican, who served as vice-president under George W. Bush, declared his stance just one day after his daughter, Liz Cheney, endorsed Harris.
An Unprecedented Move for Dick Cheney
In his statement, Dick Cheney labelled former President Donald Trump as the “greatest threat” the U.S. has ever faced. He accused Trump of trying to overturn the 2020 election results and attempting to remain in power through “lies and violence.” Cheney further said, “He can never be trusted with power again.”
This decision comes as a historic break from Cheney’s long-standing conservative stance. He emphasised that his decision to vote for Kamala Harris was driven by the need to protect the U.S. constitution, declaring, “As citizens, we must put country above partisanship.”
Dick Cheney’s criticism of Donald Trump is not new. In 2022, during his daughter Liz Cheney’s campaign for re-election to the U.S. Congress, Cheney called Trump a “coward” in a campaign ad. Despite his vocal support, Liz Cheney lost the Republican primary by a wide margin to a Trump-endorsed challenger.
Liz Cheney Joins the Fray
Liz Cheney’s endorsement of Kamala Harris came first, during a panel discussion at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin. When asked by journalist Mark Leibovich whether her father would also support Harris, Liz Cheney confirmed it, to the audience’s surprise.
Liz Cheney, who once held a prominent role in the Republican Party, has become a fierce critic of Donald Trump since the January 6th Capitol attack. In her remarks, Liz Cheney urged Republicans to recognise their “duty to country,” rather than standing by Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance.
“I won’t stand by misogynistic pigs,” Liz Cheney declared, adding that she would not be an official surrogate for Harris, nor was she interested in speculated cabinet appointments if Harris were to win the election.
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Shifting Republican Dynamics
Dick Cheney’s endorsement marks a significant shift in the Republican Party’s internal dynamics. Once a central figure in the party, Cheney’s hawkish foreign policy and unwavering allegiance to corporate America shaped the Republican landscape during the early 2000s. However, Trump’s rise has radically altered the party, prioritising populism and isolationism over establishment conservatism.
Colin Allred, a Democratic Representative from Texas, noted the endorsement as further evidence of the rift within the Republican Party. “When people like Dick Cheney, who spent their whole lives serving the Republican Party, switch sides, it shows how divided things have become,” Allred remarked. He praised Cheney’s decision as an act of patriotism and foresight.
Trump responded to the endorsements by calling Dick Cheney and Liz Cheney “irrelevant RINOs” (Republicans in Name Only) in a social media post. Trump also pointed to the endorsement he received from the Fraternal Order of Police, one of the largest law enforcement lobbies in the U.S.
Harris Campaign Seeks to Attract Anti-Trump Republicans
The dual endorsements from Dick Cheney and Liz Cheney may have broader implications for Harris’ campaign. Harris has invested significant resources into media campaigns targeting anti-Trump Republicans, and the Cheney endorsements could provide a model for conservative voters who feel disillusioned with Trump.
Colin Allred, known for his crossover appeal, also commented that the Cheney endorsements would likely help Harris’ standing among Republicans and independents. Allred added, “It’s not just Democrats who see the threat Trump poses; many Republicans like Dick Cheney are stepping up to protect democracy.”
Harris has so far garnered endorsements from several high-profile figures, including corporate leaders like Aaron Levie and Jeremy Stoppelman, as well as crypto executive Chris Larsen. With Dick Cheney joining this list, the Harris campaign may find a new pathway to reach conservatives disillusioned by Trump’s influence on the GOP.
Can the Endorsements Shift the Election?
Despite the high-profile endorsements from Dick Cheney and Liz Cheney, political experts remain uncertain about their impact on the election outcome. While Colin Allred and other Democrats have praised Cheney’s decision, many in the Republican base still strongly support Trump.
Some Republican voters might view Dick Cheney’s endorsement as a betrayal of conservative principles. However, the growing number of prominent Republicans like Cheney who are willing to publicly oppose Trump could sway a small but critical percentage of the electorate.
For now, Kamala Harris and her team will hope that Dick Cheney’s endorsement signals a turning point in their efforts to bring anti-Trump Republicans into their fold. With major figures like Colin Allred expressing support for this strategy, the Harris campaign appears poised to push forward with its bipartisan appeal.
Wrapping Up!
Dick Cheney’s decision to back Kamala Harris marks a significant moment in American politics. For a figure who once represented the core of Republican conservatism to break ranks so publicly reflects the deep divisions within the party. Both Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz have chosen to put their country over their party, a decision that could impact not just this election but the broader future of American conservatism.
As Kamala Harris continues her campaign, endorsements like these will likely be key in swaying voters away from Donald Trump. The question remains: will other Republicans follow the Cheneys’ lead, or will they stand by Trump’s brand of populism?
