In a surprising turn of events, former Vice President Dick Cheney, a stalwart figure in the Republican party, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President. This endorsement, confirmed by Cheney’s daughter, Liz Cheney, represents a significant political shift for him and underscores the complex dynamics at play in the current political landscape where we have come to expect that politicians give their support based on blind loyalty to their Party rather than their ideology.
Just two days before, Liz Cheney had announced her support for Kamala Harris in unequivocal terms. “I don’t believe that we have the luxury of writing in candidates’ names, particularly in swing states,” she said. “As a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this. Because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris.”
In the climate of absolute partisanship that defines American politics today, the news of Liz and Dick Cheney’s endorsement signals a willingness among at least a few established Republicans to cross party lines in support of candidates they believe put country above partisanship. Dick Cheney’s decision to support Harris, a Democrat, is a clear indication of his stance on the current state of politics and his prioritization of democratic principles over party loyalty.
Former Vice President Cheney’s move has certainly raised eyebrows and sparked discussions across the political spectrum. It’s a reminder that the political arena is ever-evolving, and allegiances can shift as former adversaries align on common ground.
A highly controversial figure, then-Vice President Cheney was widely known as the power behind George W. Bush’s tenure as president—some went as far as to claim that in reality, he was the man who ran the country and Bush merely his puppet. Cheney, portrayed as evil and nefarious in the media, played a leading behind-the-scenes role in the country’s response to the September 11 attacks and coordination of the Global War on Terrorism. Notoriously hawkish, he was an early proponent of invading Iraq, alleging that the Saddam Hussein regime possessed weapons of mass destruction—a claim that was later proven to be unfounded.
He also pressured the intelligence community to provide “facts” to reinforce the administration’s rationales for invading Iraq. Cheney was often criticized for the Bush administration’s policies regarding the campaign against terrorism, for his support of wiretapping by the National Security Agency (NSA) and for his endorsement of “enhanced interrogation techniques” which several critics have labeled as torture.
Given his ideological background, his endorsement of Kamala Harris comes as a stunning surprise.
However, his daughter Liz Cheney’s confrontations with the Trump administration may have played a significant role in his current position.
As a member of the House of Representatives, she was appointed to the House Select Committee charged with investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Despite being a Republican, she took a stance that was at odds with many in her party by vocally opposing former President Donald Trump’s claims of election fraud and voting to impeach him. Her participation in the committee was a statement of bipartisanship, and her work was praised by Democrats for her commitment and knowledge. Cheney’s involvement cost her politically, leading to her losing her position as the third-ranking Republican in the House and eventually her seat in Congress. However, she remained steadfast in her mission to uncover the truth behind the January 6 events and to prevent anything similar from happening again.
It will be interesting to observe how cross-party endorsements such as Dick Cheney’s, influence the broader conversation and whether this marks the beginning of a new trend of bipartisan support. What remains clear is that the upcoming election will be a pivotal moment in American politics, with potential long-term implications for the nation’s direction and unity, as well as for the Republican Party.
