Why Liz and Dick Cheney's Endorsement of Harris is Significant: The Impact of Their 'one-two punch'
Campaigns are seeking to capitalize on any shifts occurring at the edges.
TroibNews 
Liz Cheney is taking an active and well-financed role in combatting Donald Trump and his followers within the Republican Party. With a considerable amount of funding, notably from a PAC that accumulated over $3 million in just half a year as per FEC filings, Cheney is determined not only to challenge Trump but to also try to eliminate his influence from the party.
This effort marks a significant move by a once top-ranking Republican leader to confront Trump and those aligned with him. Her campaign, bolstered by her and her father's support for Kamala Harris, is seen as potentially encouraging others in their party to align with their stance. GOP strategists and officials see Cheney’s actions as potentially pivotal in a closely contested election.
According to former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a Republican supporter of Harris, “It’s a true reflection of how bad Donald Trump is — to think about a Dick Cheney, who is as time-tested of a conservative Republican as anybody in the roster, to come out and take a stance to support, like myself, Kamala Harris. Look, the Republican Party loses no matter what. If Donald Trump gets beat by Kamala Harris — like I think is going to happen — the Republican Party loses. But if Donald Trump wins, the Republican Party loses even more: We’ll lose any and all credibility that we’ve got.”
Despite efforts, there hasn't been a significant shift among Republicans towards Harris, with an ABC News/Ipsos poll indicating strong continued support for Trump among likely Republican voters. However, former Trump national security official Olivia Troye, a Republican surrogate for Harris, spoke positively about the influence of figures like Dick Cheney in the election, saying, “I think Dick Cheney’s voice is incredibly important, because I think it will draw some more traditional conservatives to pause for a second and kind of take that in.”
Following the January 6 Capitol attack, Cheney has intensified her critiques against Trump, labeling his potential re-election as a dire threat to the political landscape and committing to vigorous campaigning efforts. She articulated her stance further by supporting Democratic candidates and maintaining a proactive role in significant battleground states.
Meanwhile, other high-profile Republicans, though critical of Trump, have retained a cautious approach towards endorsing Harris openly. However, endorsements from figures like Dick Cheney are seen as particularly impactful. Charlie Sykes, a former conservative radio talk show host and now an anti-Trump commentator, explained the broader implications of such endorsements, stating, “Both living Republican ex-vice presidents are now saying they’re not going to vote for Donald Trump. And one of them, a two-term Republican vice president, is saying he’s going to vote for Kamala Harris. That clearly creates this permission dynamic.”
Amid these dynamics, the Harris campaign is not focusing solely on Cheney's support but has launched initiatives to reach out to Republican voters, including appointing former GOP personnel and emphasizing bipartisan endorsements.
As the campaign progresses, Republican opposition against Trump acknowledges the challenges of rallying support for Harris, especially given her more liberal positions, but also recognizes the tactical shifts she has made in her approach to various issues that might resonate with right-leaning voters. Emily Matthews, co-chair of the Haley Voters Working Group, mentioned the effective strategy of promoting Harris' economic policies, saying, “Positive messaging on Kamala, not just negative messaging on Trump, showing people how neoconservative she sounded in her acceptance speech, sharing her talking points about small business tax breaks and getting rid of red tape — you can’t argue with that. It’s on paper.”As the political landscape shifts leading into the election season, Cheney's efforts to unite anti-Trump Republicans and reach out to moderates could prove critical. Her high-profile stance is part of a broader strategy to galvanize those within the GOP who are disillusioned with Trump’s influence, offering them an alternative in Harris. This could have implications not just for individual races but for the broader ideological direction of the party.
With the midterm elections nearing, the stakes are incredibly high. Cheney’s focus on raising awareness about Trump’s potential return is designed to mobilize voters who may feel apprehensive about his candidacy. “I will continue to be doing everything I can over the course of the next two months here to make sure that people realize, understand, recognize who Donald Trump is and what he did and why he’s so dangerous,” she stated. This commitment to activism positions Cheney as a linchpin for anti-Trump sentiment, particularly among traditional conservatives.
Despite her efforts, skeptics within the party argue that Cheney’s impact may be limited. Many Republicans remain steadfast in their support for Trump, especially social conservatives who view Harris’s stances on issues like abortion as deal-breakers. For them, Trump's record, however inconsistent, is preferable to what they perceive as Harris's fundamentally opposed views. “She certainly appeals to the Never Trumpers,” noted Barrett Marson, an Arizona-based GOP strategist, “But they are already in the column.”
The Harris campaign has also recognized the challenges inherent in courting Republican support. While they acknowledge that endorsements from figures like the Cheneys can provide a framework for some conservatives to reconsider their voting choices, they remain cautious about expecting widespread support. The campaign has strategically positioned itself to appeal to independents and moderate Republicans, particularly through messaging that emphasizes economic stability and bipartisanship.
Furthermore, the dynamics surrounding the election may play a defining role in shaping party allegiance. As former military officials and GOP insiders vocalize their concerns about Trump, the Harris campaign capitalizes on this dissent by leveraging it in its advertising strategies. A new ad that highlights dissent from former Trump officials underscores ongoing concerns about Trump's suitability for office, particularly among national security-focused voters.
Pollster Sarah Longwell highlighted the significance of Cheney's role within this context, suggesting that Cheney’s influence might help build a coalition among Republicans who are seeking alternatives to Trump. “They are people who want to vote for a different Republican, and so they’re always frustrated they don’t have a different Republican to vote for. And so they know they don’t want to vote for Trump, but the question is, can they affirmatively get there on Kamala Harris?” Longwell explained, indicating both the opportunity and the challenge presented to Harris’s campaign.
As the election date approaches, all eyes will be on Cheney and her efforts to forge a pathway for Republican voters toward Harris. Her calls to action are not just about defeating Trump; they are also about redefining what it means to be a Republican in a party that has increasingly embraced Trumpism. This unprecedented clash sets the stage for potential shifts in allegiance, strategic voting, and the overarching narrative of the 2024 elections.
With early voting on the horizon, Cheney's campaign and Harris’s outreach will likely intensify, making this an election cycle defined by fundamental debates over identity, ideology, and party loyalty. The outcome may not only reflect voter preferences but could also signal the future trajectory of the Republican Party and its relationship with its more traditional conservative roots.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
This effort marks a significant move by a once top-ranking Republican leader to confront Trump and those aligned with him. Her campaign, bolstered by her and her father's support for Kamala Harris, is seen as potentially encouraging others in their party to align with their stance. GOP strategists and officials see Cheney’s actions as potentially pivotal in a closely contested election.
According to former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a Republican supporter of Harris, “It’s a true reflection of how bad Donald Trump is — to think about a Dick Cheney, who is as time-tested of a conservative Republican as anybody in the roster, to come out and take a stance to support, like myself, Kamala Harris. Look, the Republican Party loses no matter what. If Donald Trump gets beat by Kamala Harris — like I think is going to happen — the Republican Party loses. But if Donald Trump wins, the Republican Party loses even more: We’ll lose any and all credibility that we’ve got.”
Despite efforts, there hasn't been a significant shift among Republicans towards Harris, with an ABC News/Ipsos poll indicating strong continued support for Trump among likely Republican voters. However, former Trump national security official Olivia Troye, a Republican surrogate for Harris, spoke positively about the influence of figures like Dick Cheney in the election, saying, “I think Dick Cheney’s voice is incredibly important, because I think it will draw some more traditional conservatives to pause for a second and kind of take that in.”
Following the January 6 Capitol attack, Cheney has intensified her critiques against Trump, labeling his potential re-election as a dire threat to the political landscape and committing to vigorous campaigning efforts. She articulated her stance further by supporting Democratic candidates and maintaining a proactive role in significant battleground states.
Meanwhile, other high-profile Republicans, though critical of Trump, have retained a cautious approach towards endorsing Harris openly. However, endorsements from figures like Dick Cheney are seen as particularly impactful. Charlie Sykes, a former conservative radio talk show host and now an anti-Trump commentator, explained the broader implications of such endorsements, stating, “Both living Republican ex-vice presidents are now saying they’re not going to vote for Donald Trump. And one of them, a two-term Republican vice president, is saying he’s going to vote for Kamala Harris. That clearly creates this permission dynamic.”
Amid these dynamics, the Harris campaign is not focusing solely on Cheney's support but has launched initiatives to reach out to Republican voters, including appointing former GOP personnel and emphasizing bipartisan endorsements.
As the campaign progresses, Republican opposition against Trump acknowledges the challenges of rallying support for Harris, especially given her more liberal positions, but also recognizes the tactical shifts she has made in her approach to various issues that might resonate with right-leaning voters. Emily Matthews, co-chair of the Haley Voters Working Group, mentioned the effective strategy of promoting Harris' economic policies, saying, “Positive messaging on Kamala, not just negative messaging on Trump, showing people how neoconservative she sounded in her acceptance speech, sharing her talking points about small business tax breaks and getting rid of red tape — you can’t argue with that. It’s on paper.”As the political landscape shifts leading into the election season, Cheney's efforts to unite anti-Trump Republicans and reach out to moderates could prove critical. Her high-profile stance is part of a broader strategy to galvanize those within the GOP who are disillusioned with Trump’s influence, offering them an alternative in Harris. This could have implications not just for individual races but for the broader ideological direction of the party.
With the midterm elections nearing, the stakes are incredibly high. Cheney’s focus on raising awareness about Trump’s potential return is designed to mobilize voters who may feel apprehensive about his candidacy. “I will continue to be doing everything I can over the course of the next two months here to make sure that people realize, understand, recognize who Donald Trump is and what he did and why he’s so dangerous,” she stated. This commitment to activism positions Cheney as a linchpin for anti-Trump sentiment, particularly among traditional conservatives.
Despite her efforts, skeptics within the party argue that Cheney’s impact may be limited. Many Republicans remain steadfast in their support for Trump, especially social conservatives who view Harris’s stances on issues like abortion as deal-breakers. For them, Trump's record, however inconsistent, is preferable to what they perceive as Harris's fundamentally opposed views. “She certainly appeals to the Never Trumpers,” noted Barrett Marson, an Arizona-based GOP strategist, “But they are already in the column.”
The Harris campaign has also recognized the challenges inherent in courting Republican support. While they acknowledge that endorsements from figures like the Cheneys can provide a framework for some conservatives to reconsider their voting choices, they remain cautious about expecting widespread support. The campaign has strategically positioned itself to appeal to independents and moderate Republicans, particularly through messaging that emphasizes economic stability and bipartisanship.
Furthermore, the dynamics surrounding the election may play a defining role in shaping party allegiance. As former military officials and GOP insiders vocalize their concerns about Trump, the Harris campaign capitalizes on this dissent by leveraging it in its advertising strategies. A new ad that highlights dissent from former Trump officials underscores ongoing concerns about Trump's suitability for office, particularly among national security-focused voters.
Pollster Sarah Longwell highlighted the significance of Cheney's role within this context, suggesting that Cheney’s influence might help build a coalition among Republicans who are seeking alternatives to Trump. “They are people who want to vote for a different Republican, and so they’re always frustrated they don’t have a different Republican to vote for. And so they know they don’t want to vote for Trump, but the question is, can they affirmatively get there on Kamala Harris?” Longwell explained, indicating both the opportunity and the challenge presented to Harris’s campaign.
As the election date approaches, all eyes will be on Cheney and her efforts to forge a pathway for Republican voters toward Harris. Her calls to action are not just about defeating Trump; they are also about redefining what it means to be a Republican in a party that has increasingly embraced Trumpism. This unprecedented clash sets the stage for potential shifts in allegiance, strategic voting, and the overarching narrative of the 2024 elections.
With early voting on the horizon, Cheney's campaign and Harris’s outreach will likely intensify, making this an election cycle defined by fundamental debates over identity, ideology, and party loyalty. The outcome may not only reflect voter preferences but could also signal the future trajectory of the Republican Party and its relationship with its more traditional conservative roots.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
