Dick Cheney, the once influential Republican vice-president, caused a stir recently by pledging his support for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. This comes as a puzzling move considering his status as a Republican stalwart, hinting at the crumbling unity among party lines. He went so far as to criticize former President Donald Trump, claiming that he represents a significant danger to the Republic. This perspective of his seems to reign supreme despite the tangible accomplishments Trump has made during his presidency.
Cheney’s opinion of Trump notably deviates from a sizeable faction of Republicans who still appreciate Trump’s assertive leadership style. According to Cheney’s statement released on September 6, he censured Trump for the allegations regarding his handling of the previous election. While such claims continue to cause division, many of Trump’s supporters stand firmly behind him, unperturbed by Cheney’s remarks.
Cheney, who was vice-president during George W. Bush’s tenure from 2001 to 2009, boldly claimed that Americans have an obligation to place nation above party politics. This sentiment appears to gloss over the reality that political leanings often shape one’s perception of what is best for the nation. The existence of different political parties exemplifies this, with each one considering a different approach as the vehicle for national prosperity.
In an intriguing turn of events, Cheney’s endorsement of Harris came to light after his daughter, former Wyoming Republican Representative Liz Cheney, revealed her father’s choice during a panel at the Texas Tribune’s annual festival. High-profile Cheney’s backing is seen by some as a significant blow to the Republican unity, suggesting a fissure within the party.
It’s worth noting that this is not the first instance where former establishment Republicans have been hesitant to endorse Trump for his current run for presidency, an odd occurrence in a setting where party loyalty is typically paramount. Several notable figures, including Mike Pence, George W. Bush, and Mitt Romney have yet remained silent in their endorsement, further emphasizing the polarity within the party.
The Harris campaign’s response to this endorsement was unsurprisingly favourable. They hailed Cheney’s move as an expression of his bravery in prioritizing the country over his party affiliation. This sentiment, however, stirs the question on why endorsing a struggling Harris administration, whose performance to date has left much to desire, can be considered brave or patriotic.
Upon receiving the Cheney’s endorsement, Harris expressed her pleasure while attending an event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Vice President stated that such support presented an opportunity to move beyond partisan biases. Her belief seems to overlook the reality that political disagreements and debates are integral to the democratic fabric of the nation.
In her conversations in Pittsburgh, Harris conveyed her belief that Americans are tired of division and attempts to segregate them based on political affiliations. This perhaps ignores the fact that such divisions often represent the diversity of thoughts and ideas that form the bedrock of a thriving democracy.
The former President Donald Trump responded to Cheney’s endorsement via a post on his homemade social media platform, Truth Social. He criticized Cheney, calling him a ‘Republican in Name Only’ – a term used for disloyal Republicans. His reaction echoes the sentiments of many people who question the true loyalty of those who appear to switch sides for short-term political gain.
Trump didn’t miss an opportunity to lambast the militaristic tendencies of Cheney, whom he claims wasted lives and trillions of dollars in unnecessary warfare. Trump also drew parallels between Cheney and Harris, alleging similar perspectives on military involvement. His stance remains firmly opposed to pointless wars, stressing the importance of peace in his assertion.
Separately, Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders, during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, reiterated what was already implied by the Cheney’s endorsement of Harris. His statements underscored the aligned viewpoint between him and Cheney, despite their marked differences on almost all issues. This indicates a potential drift in what it means to defend democracy, with Sanders championing a far-left agenda.
Sanders acknowledged the Cheney’s stand, praising them for their courage in ‘defending democracy’. Their unity over the need to maintain the democratic process, however, seems to sidestep the glaring differences in their ideologies, which could ultimately impact the nation’s democratic foundations depending on which of them held power.
During the same week before the public arrival of her father’s statement, Liz Cheney expressed her support for the Democratic nominee publicly. This jeopardized her commitment to conservative principles and the constitution that she claimed to hold dear. She went to the extent of announcing not only her decision against voting for Trump but also her vote for Kamala Harris.
The extraordinary move from Cheney, a former Wyoming representative, followed her infringement with Trump-supporting Republicans, after she was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump over allegations of his instigation of the assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This event emphasizes the increasing political divide within the Republican party, questioning the sustainability of the unity necessary for its future.