Former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney has given the clearest indication yet that she may mount a challenge with a new party in order to block Donald Trump from returning to the White House. In an interview with the Washington Post, Cheney stated that she would do “whatever it takes” to prevent a Trump comeback.
Cheney, the daughter of former Republican vice-president Dick Cheney, expressed her concerns about the state of democracy both at home and internationally, citing Trump’s continued influence over the Republican party as a significant threat. She indicated that a new conservative party may be necessary to combat this threat and vowed to play a role in its establishment.
The former Wyoming congresswoman is currently on a book tour promoting her memoir, “Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning,” in which she calls on the US to support pro-constitution candidates and oppose Trump enablers in Congress. She described this as “the cause of our time” and emphasized the urgency of confronting the challenges facing the country.
Cheney’s potential third-party run would place her among other potential candidates, including Robert F Kennedy Jr, Cornel West, Jill Stein, Joe Manchin, Joe Lieberman, and Larry Hogan. Polling suggests that there is growing support for alternatives to the traditional two-party system, with a majority of Americans expressing dissatisfaction with both the Republican and Democratic parties.
Efforts to oppose third-party presidential bids have ramped up, with warnings that such candidates could play into Trump’s hand and disrupt democratic norms. Former US House minority leader Richard Gephardt expressed concern about the dangers of voting for third-party candidates and the potential impact on the democratic process.
As Cheney continues to consider her options, the prospect of a new conservative party and a challenge to the traditional two-party system remains a topic of significant interest and debate.