In the Republican primary in Wyoming, all signs point to a crushing defeat for Liz Cheney. But Donald Trump’s tough opponent is already planning far beyond her election campaign.
Normally, the US state of Wyoming rarely makes big headlines – unless a tourist in Yellowstone National Park is . But this week, political attention is focused on a Republican primary taking place in the “land of the cowboys,” aka Wyoming. Not because the race would be particularly exciting – it’s actually almost decided – but because the election is dominated by Donald Trump like no other.
His politically most important opponent, Liz Cheney, has long known that she has almost no chance of winning. In the polls, the Republican is far behind Trump-backed opponent Harriet Hageman. While her competitor trundles from one campaign arena to the next, Cheney is nearly 2,000 miles away on a mission she considers far more important – investigating the Capitol Storm Inquiry Committee.
For the 56-year-old deputy head of the committee, the priorities are set. She wants to strike out in Washington—even if it means paying the price at home. “If I have to choose between retaining a seat in the House of Representatives or protecting the constitutional republic and ensuring the American people know the truth about Donald Trump, I will choose the Constitution and the truth every day,” she said clear.
But from the beginning.
Liz Cheney and Donald Trump – from allies to enemies
For decades, the Cheney family has been an integral part of conservative political life in the United States. In 1978, Dick Cheney won Wyoming’s only congressional seat and held it for more than a decade, until he resigned to become Secretary of Defense under President George Bush Sr. and later Vice President under his son George W. Bush.
His daughter was to follow in his political footsteps. For years, she has been a regular vocalist of her conservative pro-gun, anti-abortion views and harsh criticism of the Obama administration—with success. In 2016, nearly 40 years after her father first won it, Wyoming voters promoted Liz Cheney to the same seat while electing Trump president that same night. A man who Cheney himself was loyal to for a long time.
But then came January 6, 2021. A day that shook not only the United States but also Cheney’s political career.
On this day, the conservatives finally decided to pull the ripcord and renounce the Trump cult. As one of only 10 Republican party members, she voted with the Democrats to impeach the ex-president. After the trial failed, she is now leading the investigation against Trump as vice chair of the investigative committee.
Gloomy prospects for Cheney in Trump country Wyoming
It is no wonder, then, that Donald Trump is now doing everything in his power to destroy the career of the “traitor” once and for all. And there couldn’t be a better place for a showdown than the “land of the cowboys” where Trump himself emerged in the last presidential election. At his last appearance in Wyoming, he gave the voters direct instructions: “Fire Liz”. Cheney has not only become a verbal target for Trump supporters. In the wake of a spate of death threats, Republicans have been restricted to police protection within their own state.
The ex-president himself is banking his all on Harriet Hageman, a candidate he raised and who has now also garnered the support of a number of top Republicans, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. The 59-year-old lawyer is heating up the crowds in Donald-style – and is breaking open doors in Trump country. see the right-wing candidate around 29 percentage points ahead of Cheney, a lead that can hardly be caught up.
Political observers, on the other hand, see Cheney’s best chance in winning over as many Democrats and independents as possible. Months ago, her campaign team began specifically wooing registered Democrats in hopes of mobilizing them against Trump nominee Hageman. In some cases, instructions were even sent out on how to change your party registration in good time before the primary elections. Indeed, since January, registered Democrats in Wyoming have fallen by 6,069, while registered Republicans have increased by 11,495. At the same time, the number of independent voters has fallen by 1,575 – a development that Cheney’s supporters see as a success.
Will Cheney himself compete in 2024?
“I work hard to get every vote in Wyoming,” Liz Cheney promises voters. And yet there is much to suggest that she is campaigning half-heartedly, saving the energy – and money – for her next campaign. Instead of addressing classic conservative issues such as inflation, crime rates and the coal industry, which is particularly influential in Wyoming, Cheney uses every opportunity to underpin her top priority: blocking Donald Trump’s path back to the Oval Office. “It’s about the danger he poses to the country and that he can no longer come close to that power,” she calls out to her supporters in the Cheyenne capital.
Just last week, she tasked her father with a , in which Dick Cheney called Trump a “coward” and portrayed him as the greatest threat in Republican history. In her only televised debate, Liz Cheney recommends that voters “vote for someone else” if they want a politician who violates their oath of office. And their budget also raises questions. At the beginning of July, she had spent just half of the $13 million in campaign donations.
Her relentless focus on Trump, scarce campaign appearances and treasury treasury have fueled speculation that Liz Cheney may be preparing to run for president. She herself does little to stop such rumours. “I’ll make a decision for 2024 later,” she told CNN at the end of July.
But if you look at the latest on her website, it sounds like she’s already made up her mind. “No matter how long we have to fight, this is a fight we will win,” Liz Cheney tells the camera, promising to lead “millions of Americans of all ideological persuasions united in the cause of freedom.” “I hope you will join me in this fight,” the Republican ends the two-minute video.
Only for the “land of the cowboys” is this appeal a bit too thick.
Sources: “”, “”, “”, “”, “”, with AFP material
Source: Stern
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