OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Rep. Liz Cheney, who looks to lose her Wyoming congressional seat to a Trump-backed challenger in next month’s GOP primary, discussed her political future during an interview on Sunday.
During an interview on ABC News’ “This Week,” host Jonathan Karl asked Cheney if she had any plans to run for president in 2024 “as a way to prevent what you say would be destruction to the party.”
Newsweek added:
The GOP lawmaker said she has not yet made a decision about 2024, and that she is currently focused on her reelection bid to Congress. She faces a tough primary election against Trump-endorsed Harriet Hageman in Wyoming where Trump remains deeply popular.
“I haven’t made a decision about that yet. I’m obviously very focused on my reelection. I’m very focused on the January 6 committee,” Cheney responded. “I’m very focused on my obligations to do the job that I have now.”
The daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney added that she would make a decision about whether or not to run for president “down the road.”
“I think about it less in terms of a decision about running for office and more in terms of, as an American and as somebody who is in a position of public trust now, how do I make sure that I’m doing everything I can do the right thing—to do what I know is right for the country and to protect our constitution,” she noted.
Cheney’s presidential bid would no doubt test whether GOP voters are ready to move on from former President Donald Trump and embrace one of his staunchest critics, a scenario that does not seem likely at president given his continued high marks in successive polls since he left office. He remains the top-polling GOP presidential nominee ahead of 2024, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis running second in most of those polls.
Meantime, Cheney’s more pressing problem is trying to win reelection in a state that has largely rejected her due to her vehement criticism of Trump following the Jan. 6 riot.
Newsweek added:
Wyoming is among the most conservative states where Trump won about 70 percent of the vote. Cheney has found herself at odds with many constituents over her staunch criticism of the former president.
A poll released last month, conducted by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates for the Hageman-aligned Wyoming Values super PAC, found Hageman winning 56 percent of Republicans’ support in the primary, while Cheney won only 28 percent.
Meanwhile, Cheney maintains a fundraising advantage in the primary. She has raised $10 million to Hageman’s $2 million.
Trump voiced his support for Hageman early on, and he has traveled to Wyoming recently to campaign on her behalf.
Speaking at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper in late May, Trump also blasted President Joe Biden’s performance in office thus far as being rife with “breathtaking failure.”
“The contrast between the Trump administration success and Joe Biden’s breathtaking failure could not be more stark,” Trump told the rally, according to Newsmax, which aired the rally live. “Compare how great America was just two years ago. Think of it compared with today.
“Two years ago, look, where we were doing things that nobody thought possible. And then three years ago, it was even beyond, and then we got hit with the crap that came out of China, the China virus,” he noted.
In his speech, the former president also embraced the new “ultra MAGA” label and said it definitely applied in Wyoming.
“They gave us a new name — they made a little mistake with this — but this is Ultra MAGA country: Ultra MAGA, even better!” Trump said to kick off the 90-minute speech.
“Over the next six months, the people of Wyoming are going to vote to dump your RINO congresswoman Liz Cheney. And you’re going to send the incredible Harriet Hageman to Congress, and together we are going to end crazy Nancy Pelosi’s political career once and for all. Crazy Nancy; she’s crazy,” he added.
He also ripped Cheney, describing her as “warmongering” and accusing her of being “America last.”
