Portrait of Dick Cheney
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Dick Cheney on Kamala Harris

Endorses for President (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

The former Vice President publicly broke with his party to endorse Kamala Harris over the Republican nominee for president.

Key Points

  • The former Vice President stated in a September 2024 announcement that he would vote for Kamala Harris.

  • His reasoning centered on the belief that the Republican nominee represented an existential threat to the Republic that must be stopped.

  • Harris publicly stated she was honored by the endorsement, viewing it as a courageous move by the former Republican official.

Summary

Dick Cheney, a lifelong Republican, took the unprecedented step of publicly announcing he would vote for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. This position was primarily rooted in his profound opposition to the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, whom Cheney declared a greater threat to the Republic than any individual in the nation's history. The former Vice President cited Trump’s actions following the 2020 election as disqualifying, stating he could never be trusted with power again. Cheney's endorsement was framed not as an embrace of the Democratic platform, but as a necessary defense of democratic institutions and the rule of law against what he viewed as authoritarian drift.

This decision marked a significant evolution from his prior political alignment, forcing a comparison between his own controversial policies and his later assessment of Trump. While some critics condemned the Harris campaign for welcoming the endorsement from the architect of the Iraq War and enhanced interrogation, the Cheneys viewed the moment as existential, placing constitutional principle above partisan politics. Harris expressed honor for the support, characterizing it as a courageous act that signaled an opportunity to move past division.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dick Cheney's position is one of strong support, as he announced he would vote for Kamala Harris in the presidential election. He made this public endorsement in September 2024, prioritizing this choice over loyalty to the Republican Party. The former Vice President framed this decision as a necessary defense of American democracy.

Yes, the former Vice President released a statement in September 2024 declaring his intention to vote for Kamala Harris for President. This action was preceded by his daughter, a former Republican Representative, confirming his intention to do so. The endorsement was explicitly made in opposition to the Republican nominee, Donald Trump.

The primary reason Dick Cheney supported Kamala Harris was his severe objection to the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, calling him the greatest threat to the Republic. His support for Harris was therefore a negative action against Trump, not necessarily an endorsement of her entire political platform. He affirmed that defending the Constitution required putting country over party.