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Liz Cheney: Would She Run For President Against Donald Trump?

Liz Cheney on CBS. Image Credit: Screenshot.

Could Liz Cheney Run for President? Say what you will about former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, but one thing is clear, she is one determined politician.

Cheney felt so strongly about former President Donald Trump that she did a most unpopular action for a Republican; she supported his impeachment and removal.

This was for Trump’s actions leading up to and during the January 6 insurrection. Cheney has said she will do all she can to make sure Trump is not president again.

But does that include running against him for president?

Only Two Candidates Are Running So Far

So far, only one other Republican candidate is in the race – former UN ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley – who also disapproved of Trump’s actions or lack of action on January 6.

But Haley has not criticized Trump expressly in recent days.

Liz Cheney: She Could Run in the Never-Trump Lane

That means there could be a spot for the Never-Trump wing of the party for the presidential contest. Or Cheney could leave the GOP, an action she has threatened to do before, and run for president as an Independent.

It is difficult for third-party candidates to raise money and get on the ballot nationwide, but for someone who is passionate in her hate for Trump, that may not deter Liz Cheney. 

What Are Her Options?

The Wyoming House Member left Congress in January. So she has time on her hands to plot her next move. She could write another book and tell her story about the fight against Trump. She has a leadership political action committee, and she could raise money for that.

Liz Cheney could stay in Washington and lobby someday, but that may be too boring a job for such a devil-may-care maverick.

But She Is Hated By Many

Entering the race for president would be tough. She is hated by the Trump wing of the party, and that means enduring a significant amount of vitriol from his supporters. She lost her Republican primary for Congress by a wide margin (66 to 29), so she can’t count on a base of supporters in Wyoming.

Running as a Dark Horse

She barely registers on most presidential polls for the primary nod. So, she would definitely be a dark horse candidate. But the primary field is developing slowly.

In addition to Haley, few candidates are emerging. Former Vice President Mike Pence and ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are often mentioned on lists to run. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott is making some moves to position himself in the race. All are polling in the single digits in the expectation that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will announce his presidential plans later this spring.

National Name Recognition

Liz Cheney has foreign policy chops and a Conservative voting record. She has name recognition and is the progeny of a former vice president, her father Dick Cheney.

She has experiencing serving in the Republican leadership in the House and she has the courage and passion, even the “spiciness” that one needs to go after the presidency.

Likability Matters and January 6 Is in the Rear View Mirror

But there is also a likability factor in any election. Cheney comes across as someone with such a combative attitude with a huge axe to grind that many voters would see her as a protest candidate or grievance choice for Republicans angry at Trump. Her main issue, January 6, is over two years old. Many Republicans are ready to move on from that infamous date and look to the GOP’s future. Cheney is seen as the party’s past. This would not result in the type of support she would need to be successful.

So even if a plan to run could be in the works, Liz Cheney may not be a top choice for many GOP voters.

BONUS: The Fall of Joe Biden Has Started  

BONUS: Donald Trump Looks At His End 

BONUS: Kamala Harris Should Quit

Author Expertise and Experience:

Serving as 19FortyFive’s Defense and National Security Editor, Dr. Brent M. Eastwood is the author of Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare. He is an Emerging Threats expert and former U.S. Army Infantry officer. You can follow him on Twitter @BMEastwood. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and Foreign Policy/ International Relations.

Written By

Now serving as 1945s New Defense and National Security Editor, Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare. He is an Emerging Threats expert and former U.S. Army Infantry officer.

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