Reshmi Pegu
In a remarkable turn of events, former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney is signaling to conservative women that it’s possible to support Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race — and do so quietly, without ever having to tell a soul.
This message emerged during Cheney’s tour alongside Harris in critical swing states on Monday, as the two made a case for personal empowerment among suburban Republican and independent women. Cheney, known for her staunch conservatism and her anti-abortion stance, has become an unexpected ally for the Democratic campaign, offering a path for disillusioned Republicans to reject Donald Trump.
Cheney, a mother of five who cheered the fall of Roe v. Wade, voiced her concern over the growing crisis in reproductive health care following the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling. Speaking in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, a pivotal swing district, Cheney explained her deep unease with the unintended consequences of the decision. “I have been very troubled, deeply troubled by what I have watched happen in so many states,” she said. “Women in some cases have died because they can’t get the medical treatment they need due to fears of legal consequences.” Her comments reflected her broader concerns about the erosion of women’s health care rights under the ruling, despite her personal opposition to abortion.
Today, Liz Cheney is on the campaign trail with Kamala Harris.
— Christian Collins (@CollinsforTX) October 21, 2024
Here's a flashback of Liz calling Kamala "a radical liberal" and explaining why she is dangerous for America.
Phony Liz Cheney is a bitter warmonger who loves Kamala's commitment to endless wars. pic.twitter.com/g8uJaAjHpP
In an earlier stop in a Detroit suburb, Cheney had highlighted another issue plaguing some Republicans: fear of reprisal for speaking out against Trump. “You can vote your conscience without ever having to tell anyone,” Cheney reassured voters, referencing the silent majority of Republicans who she believes will quietly reject Trump in November.
The appearance of Cheney alongside Harris underscores a critical effort in the final days of the campaign — to win over moderate and conservative voters alienated by Trump’s actions and policies. The vice president’s campaign is keenly aware that even a small fraction of Republican support could tip the scales in key swing states with razor-thin margins.
Kamala Harris is now invoking World War II and Pearl Harbor in order to justify implementation of Liz Cheney's foreign policy, which Kamala says that she completely agrees with.
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 21, 2024
A vote for Kamala is a vote for World War III pic.twitter.com/ksm9S7LdyX
Cheney: From GOP Leadership to an Unlikely Ally for Harris
Once a rising star in the Republican Party, Cheney’s political fortunes changed drastically after she denounced Trump for his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. She was ousted from her role as House GOP conference chair and lost her congressional seat to a pro-Trump primary challenger in 2022. But rather than retreat from public life, Cheney has remained vocal about her commitment to democratic principles, even as she stands at odds with her former party.
Her alliance with Harris is striking. Cheney’s unyielding conservative credentials make her a potent voice among voters who might otherwise hesitate to back a Democratic candidate. In a campaign event in Pennsylvania, Cheney framed the 2024 race as a choice between fidelity to the Constitution and Trump’s disregard for the rule of law. “We’ve seen how Donald Trump acts when he doesn’t get his way,” Cheney warned, reminding voters of the former president’s role in inciting the January 6 insurrection.
Reproductive Rights and Women’s Health: A Crucial Issue
In addition to constitutional concerns, Cheney’s willingness to speak out on the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade represents a shift in focus that could resonate with suburban women voters. Although Cheney maintains her opposition to abortion, she expressed alarm over how restrictive policies have limited women’s access to life-saving health care, pointing to cases where providers were hesitant to perform emergency abortions due to fears of legal repercussions.
The vice president has also been vocal about her commitment to restoring abortion rights, pledging to sign a law protecting the right to choose if Congress passes such a bill. But it’s Cheney’s voice, rooted in conservative ideology, that might sway women who are personally anti-abortion yet concerned about the impact of recent policies on their health and safety.
Trump’s Struggles with Women Voters
The Harris-Cheney alliance comes at a time when Trump is facing significant challenges with women voters. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll revealed a stark gender gap, with Harris leading Trump among women by 56% to 40%, while the former president maintains an edge among men. Trump’s attempts to address the abortion issue have often backfired; he has touted the Supreme Court’s decision but has struggled to articulate a clear message on women’s rights and health care.
In contrast, Cheney and Harris’s approach — acknowledging the complexities of the issue while advocating for women’s health care rights — may strike a chord with suburban Republican women who are deeply uneasy about the hardline positions embraced by some state legislatures.
Cheney’s involvement is likely to be critical in this regard. Her deep roots in the conservative movement lend credibility to Harris’s appeal for bipartisan support, particularly among women who feel disconnected from Trump’s divisive rhetoric. Cheney’s unique position as a staunch conservative opposed to Trump’s brand of politics allows her to reach voters who might otherwise be hesitant to cross party lines.
A Changing Republican Party
As Trump continues to dominate the Republican landscape, Cheney’s ostracism from her own party is emblematic of the deep divides within the GOP. Trump’s influence has reshaped the party, leaving traditional conservatives like Cheney on the sidelines. But Cheney’s alliance with Harris may also signal that there is a constituency of Republicans who are unwilling to follow Trump’s lead — and who may be open to voting for Harris in 2024.
While the extent of Cheney’s influence remains to be seen, her message is clear: Republican women have a choice, and they don’t need to remain silent about their concerns. With the election approaching, the question is whether her call to conscience will resonate with enough voters to make a difference.
As Cheney and Harris continue their campaign, they are tapping into a critical swing demographic: suburban women who, while conservative, are looking for an alternative to Trump. And with Cheney’s help, Harris may have found an unexpected pathway to victory.
