(RepublicanReport.org) – Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) left office in January 2023 after being primaried by a MAGA Republican after she defected and joined House Democrats in targeting former President Donald Trump. She recently stirred up controversy when she suggested the possibility still existed for her entry into the 2024 presidential race.
On February 18, 2024, Cheney sat down for a wide-ranging interview with CNN host Jake Tapper. He asked the former congresswoman about the upcoming presidential election. She said she hadn’t endorsed anyone, but “would never support” Trump.
Tapper followed up, pointing out that to the best of his knowledge, Cheney hadn’t “ruled out a presidential run … in 2024.” “Are you still considering it?” he added. Cheney responded that she had not “made any decision” yet, noting that she would “do whatever is necessary” to ensure Trump doesn’t win.
Cheney didn’t limit herself to criticizing Trump. She also lashed out at House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). She said he should call lawmakers back into session to approve a Senate bill providing supplemental funding for Ukraine. Cheney claimed that by refusing to do so, he was doing Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s bidding. She also hinted that history wouldn’t look at his inaction favorably.
It remains unclear what impact Cheney’s entry into the race might have at this point. RealClearPolitics’ latest polling average shows Trump leading former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley by 57.7 points.
There’s little chance she could catch up to either candidate at this stage of the game. Looking at her recent reelection bid, her Republican primary challenger, Harriet Hageman, easily defeated her by winning 66.3% of the vote to Cheney’s 28.9%.
Additionally, were Cheney to run as an independent, she would face enormous challenges getting her name on enough of the state ballots to give her a pathway to the 270 Electoral College ballots required to win the election.
Copyright 2024, RepublicanReport.org
