Trump Endorses Former Cheney Supporter to Oust Cheney

‘They truly are good friends,’ a former Wyoming Republican official said.

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In the months since he left office, former President Donald Trump has spent his free time backing primary challenges to the elected Republicans who criticized him for his role in the events leading up to January 6. Of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach him this year, most would agree that former GOP House Conference Chair Liz Cheney—who recently became one of two Republicans on a special committee investigating the events of January 6—has ruffled Trump’s feathers the most. 

In an attempt to consolidate support behind one Cheney challenger and increase the odds of booting her from the House GOP conference, Trump officially announced his endorsement of Harriet Hageman, a trial lawyer and former national committeewoman for the Wyoming GOP. “Unlike RINO Liz Cheney, Harriet is all in for America First,” Trump said in a statement Thursday endorsing Hageman, who reportedly met with Trump in August to seek his endorsement. “Harriet has my Complete and Total Endorsement in replacing the Democrats [sic] number one provider of sound bites, Liz Cheney.” 

“Here’s a sound bite for you: Bring it,” Cheney tweeted shortly after Trump’s announcement.

Hageman is an unconventional pick for Trump. She advised Cheney’s short-lived 2014 Senate bid against Mike Enzi, praised Cheney in a since-deleted Facebook post, and has donated $2,000 to Cheney’s congressional campaigns, including $500 in 2014 and $1,500 in 2016. Hageman’s only other bid for statewide office was in 2018, when she ran unsuccessfully for governor of Wyoming and came in third place, securing about a fifth of the vote. 

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  1. Avatar photo
    Rajeev

    Surprised Trump didn't endorse Bouchard. Seems like his type of candidate...

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    Jesse Brent

    I would like to see Liz run and win in 2022 as an Independent. She could then tell the Wyoming GOP and Kevin McCarthy where to go.

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    Pat Riot

    Cheney might survive her primary, she might not. If she does, it will be because:

    1. She is a Cheney, the daughter of the former vice-president.

    2. She was until recently the third-ranked Republican in the House, thus giving her a lot of power to bring money to her district.

    3. She has a national profile unmatched by almost any other House member.

    4. She is a cause-celeb for anti-Trump Republican holdouts across the country.

    5. All of the above means she can raise money without the explicit support of the party.

    And that's all great for Liz Cheney.

    The thing is, the other 99% of sitting elected Republicans don't have any of those advantages, and there is absolutely *no way* they would survive a challenge by Trump. And they very well know that.

    Win or lose, Trump wins here. He has absolute control over the party, and he isn't even in office.

    And the irony here is that Liz Cheney voted to exonerate Trump in the Ukraine impeachment, and would probably do it again. Her crime is only being a 90% Trump supporter instead of 100%.

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    1. Avatar photo
      Rajeev

      If she wins, it won't mean much. Just like you said she is able to barely survive in Wyoming because of name identity. Unless she somehow wins 90-10 in the primary then I'll reconsider.

      If she loses though, this would be a big feather in the cap for Trump. Defeating any of the others that voted for impeachment won't be as valuable to him as defeating Cheney.

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  4. Raincheck

    Go Liz!

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    C C Writer

    I would like to know what Edith "Edit" Burton thinks about the plague of Unnecessary Capital Letters, and whether she would endorse putting [sic] after each such use in quoted material.

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    1. Avatar photo
      Mudskipper

      Except that this is Trump speaking. He has the best words. He said so. And best words should be always capitalized.

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        C C Writer

        Tell him that [sic] stands for Supreme Incomparable Commander.

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  6. Avatar photo
    C C Writer

    Time to send another $20 check to Liz.
    Does anyone have a short list of other real Republicans who are being primaried for not being Trumpist or pretending to be? Kinzinger is on mine. Who else should I add? They will also get checks.

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    1. Avatar photo
      Pat Riot

      I'll send her lots of money if she runs as an independent.

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    2. Avatar photo
      C C Writer

      P.S. In most cases, you don't have to give an e-mail address and phone. They may be required in an online form for donating by credit card, but if you look you can find a postal address and just mail a check. I also enclose a note indicating that they may feel free to put me on their postal mailing list, but if they find out my e-mail or phone and use them, they won't get any more checks or support from me. So far it's been working.

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    3. Avatar photo
      Connie

      Anthony Gonzalez in Ohio.

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  7. Avatar photo
    C C Writer

    Seems like Hageman will be a test of whether a candidate can have it both ways: be Trumpy and non-Trumpy. I say no, can't have it both ways.

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  8. Jordan Williamson

    Anybody have any data on how Trump endorsements have fared in the special elections since Jan. 6? From what little I know it hasn’t been great.

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    1. Avatar photo
      Rajeev

      I don't think special elections are really indicative of anything. Next summer in high profile primaries will matter more to see what Trump can do influence wise. Like when Jeff Sessions lost by 20 points to Tommy Tuberville. If he can replicate that next year then he will be showing strength.

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  9. Patrick E

    Never bet against a Cheney.

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  10. R. James

    Weirdly, I think this good for Cheney. People naturally dislike a turncoat. Hageman's Trumpy rivals that stay in the race will continue to label her as one. If the Trumpkins spit the vote, Cheney may still come out on top.

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    1. Richard Kennedy

      I can hear the stump speech now. “While I admire my former aid and comrade in the trenches, all of us have to consider what this race is truly about…”

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