Liz Cheney urges conservatives to back Kamala Harris over abortion

Former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a long-time opponent of abortion rights, has taken a bold step by campaigning alongside Vice President Kamala Harris in key swing states. During a series of joint events aimed at appealing to suburban Republican voters, Cheney strongly criticized the Republican-led bans on abortion and urged conservatives to consider supporting Harris in her presidential bid.

At the final rally held in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Cheney, 58, delivered her remarks against a blue backdrop that read “country over party.” She pointed out that since the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision removed federal protections for abortion, many Republican-led states have overstepped their bounds in restricting access to reproductive health services. “I’m pro-life, and I have been very troubled—deeply troubled—by what I’ve seen happen in so many states since Dobbs,” said Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney. She highlighted the distressing circumstances faced by women, including the risk of death, due to a lack of accessible medical treatment stemming from concerns over criminal penalties for providers.

Cheney asserted that the current environment is “untenable,” emphasizing the need for a compassionate president who can facilitate open discussions on these issues. “Even if you are pro-life, as I am, I do not believe, for example, that Texas should have the right to access women’s medical records,” she stated. “There are some very fundamental and fundamentally dangerous things that have happened, and it’s crucial for the federal government to protect women from these harms.”

Cheney’s comments drew a clear line between her and Trump, who appointed three Supreme Court justices responsible for dismantling the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. “Donald Trump at one point called for criminal penalties for women,” she pointed out, criticizing his inconsistent stance on abortion. “You just can’t count on him. You cannot trust him. America deserves much better.”

The campaign events in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin aimed to unite voters against Trump, who some Republican primary voters previously backed, including Nikki Haley. Cheney, who has publicly opposed Trump since the January 6 insurrection, is speculated to be a potential candidate for a role in a future Harris administration.

During her appearances, Harris expressed her commitment to fostering bipartisanship, noting that she would consider including a Republican in her cabinet. When asked if Cheney would be that Republican, Harris was noncommittal but acknowledged the value of inviting diverse ideas into her administration.

Trump responded sharply to this partnership, labeling Cheney a “War Hawk,” while criticizing Harris as the “Worst Vice President in the History of the United States.” Meanwhile, some observers expressed concern over the political implications of Cheney’s presence in Michigan, given her hawkish foreign policy views.

In an engaging moment during an event moderated by journalist Maria Shriver, Cheney urged those hesitant about showing support for Harris to vote their conscience without hesitation. Harris, celebrating her 60th birthday, emphasized the need for resilience among Americans. “Let’s not feel powerless,” she urged.

The synergy between Cheney and Harris was evident throughout their campaign tour, with moments of levity shining through. At one point, Cheney joked, “If you wouldn’t hire somebody to babysit your kids, you shouldn’t make that guy the president of the United States,” prompting laughter from the audience and delight from Harris.