Tom Cotton, a prominent Republican senator from Arkansas, shared his thoughts during a recent interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on the notable and somewhat surprising endorsement of former Vice President Dick Cheney for a Democratic candidacy in the upcoming 2024 election. CNN’s Dana Bash, a renowned figure who had closely covered the Bush-Cheney administration, initiated the conversation by highlighting that both the former Vice President and his daughter, Liz Cheney, a previous Republican representative of Wyoming, had shown their support for Harris, ostensibly preferring her to the former President, Donald Trump.
Bash, fascinated by the overt shift in political leanings from what is traditionally understood as extremely conservative norms embodied by Cheney, asked Cotton about his insights. ‘What do you make of such an endorsement from a highly-recognized conservative endorsing a Democrat? How does this reflect upon Donald Trump?’ she queried.
Cotton, known for his allegiance to Trump, responded that the endorsement, indeed, symbolizes the unique and dynamic nature of the current political climate. His remark about ‘a Kennedy endorsing a Republican’ referred to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lending his support to the GOP. Cotton suggested that these unusual alliances indicate a vast and diverse range of currents flowing in the American political spectrum.
However, Cotton was quick to define the importance of endorsements in the context of determining the results of an election. ‘At the end of the day, it won’t be endorsements that decide the outcome,’ he insisted. In his view, the track record of the candidates is what will truly influence the electorate. ‘We’re amid an unusual presidential race,’ he said further, indicating the presence of a former President in the running, which hasn’t occurred in over a century.
Cotton brought up key issues from Trump’s tenure, emphasizing the economic benefits achieved under his administration. He reminded the public that during Trump’s time in office, cost of living was relatively low and wages were high; moreover, global peace and stability were mostly upheld.
The senator did not shy away from comparing this past state of affairs with the current scenario under Vice President Kamala Harris. Cotton criticized the Harris administration for leading the country into an era of high inflation and precarious international relations. He also mentioned the controversial issue of the porous southern border.
In shedding light on this comparison, Cotton suggested that endorsements make headlines but have minimal impact on the voter’s decision-making. He argued that voters recall the prosperity under Trump’s administration and contrast it with the present difficulties under the Biden-Harris leadership.
Bash, in response to Cotton’s comments, highlighted the fact that an endorsement from a figure like Dick Cheney might carry more weight due to his long-standing political career. Cheney, having served as Vice President for eight years, remaining a senior member of the House, and having acted as the chief of staff for Gerald Ford, spent many years advocating for Republican ideologies and policies.
However, Cotton remained unconvinced about the potential impact of Cheney’s endorsement, particularly focusing on his sway over swing or ‘Never-Trump’ voters. To this, he simply responded, ‘No, Dana, I genuinely don’t believe …,’
Continuing the discussion, Bash broached the possibility of Cheney’s endorsement impacting the decision of ‘Never-Trump’ voters. Cotton then alluded to Liz Cheney’s significant loss against Trump-supported candidate Harriet Hageman in her 2022 House primary race by 39 points, implying a possible personal influencer in Cheney’s endorsement.
Arguing that American voters will, in the end, base their decision on the comparative performance and record of the two candidates, Cotton stated it will surely be an unconventional race. The senator emphasized Trump’s contribution to the prosperity of the nation during his tenure and contrasted it with the challenges posed under Harris and Biden’s leadership.
He iterated his description of Harris as a ‘San Francisco liberal’, and assuming that her policies mirror the issues prevalent in the city she comes from. ‘The current situation in our country reflects what you see in San Francisco – it’s the direct result of Harris’s leadership,’ he argued.
Furthering prominence of records over endorsements, Cotton encourages the American populace to consider the stark contrast between the experiences under both leaders. He visions the ‘good times’ under the Trump administration versus the ‘bad times’ now, guided by the policy direction of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden.
Dana Bash: “You don’t think Dick Cheney’s endorsement is going to make a difference?”
Sen. Tom Cotton: “I really don’t. Some of this is probably because Donald Trump beat his daughter by 39 points.” pic.twitter.com/AM0BZuDsQh
— Real Mac Report (@RealMacReport) September 8, 2024