Liz Cheney joins Kamala Harris for first campaign event as GOP outreach continues
Former Rep. Liz Cheney, a prominent Republican figure who has publicly expressed her support for Vice President Kamala Harris, is set to join Harris on the campaign trail in Ripon, Wisconsin. The quaint town of Ripon holds historical significance as the birthplace of the Republican Party, making it a fitting backdrop for this unique alliance between Cheney and Harris.
Despite their divergent policy views, Cheney and Harris share a common stance against former President Donald Trump, whom they see as a threat to democracy following the events of January 6th at the U.S. Capitol. Cheney, known for her unwavering commitment to conservative principles and the Constitution, made her support for Harris clear during a recent event at Duke University.
Cheney, once the third-highest-ranking Republican in the House, faced backlash within her party for voting to impeach Trump, ultimately losing her position to a Trump-backed candidate in the primary. Undeterred, Cheney continued to serve on the House Jan. 6 select committee, which recommended legal action against Trump for his role in the Capitol riot.
The symbolic venue for Harris and Cheney’s joint appearance, the Little White Schoolhouse in Ripon, served as the birthplace of the Republican Party in 1854. Recognized as a national historic site since 1974, this location holds great significance for the Republican Party’s history and ethos.
Cheney’s decision to stand alongside Harris underscores a strategic move by the campaign to appeal to disaffected Republicans disillusioned with Trump’s leadership. The campaign recently launched an ad featuring a former two-time Trump voter from Pennsylvania who expressed doubts about Trump’s economic policies.
In a broader effort to court Republican support, the campaign is organizing “Republicans for Harris” events across key battleground states, featuring prominent figures like former Reps. Denver Riggleman and Adam Kinzinger. Kinzinger, who also served on the House Jan. 6 committee, emphasized the diverse coalition of support backing Harris during the vice presidential debate.
While conservative support for Harris remains limited, moderate voters have shown a stronger preference for her over Trump, as indicated by a September CBS News poll. Several Republican officials, including Kinzinger, have expressed their support for Harris and actively participated in campaign activities leading up to the election.
Harris, in her bid to appeal to centrists, has emphasized bipartisan immigration policies, positioned herself as a pro-business advocate, and clarified her stance on fracking. These efforts aim to broaden her appeal to a wider spectrum of voters, including those with conservative leanings.
As the campaign gears up for the upcoming election, Cheney’s unexpected endorsement serves as a testament to the evolving political landscape and the nuanced alliances that are forming across party lines. Amidst a backdrop of shifting allegiances and divergent viewpoints, the joint appearance of Cheney and Harris in Ripon, Wisconsin, symbolizes a strategic approach to uniting a broad coalition of supporters committed to a vision of a better future for the country.
