Cheney's Critique: A Damning Image of a Party in Disarray
According to a leaked copy of her book provided to CNN, Cheney paints a scathing picture of a party that knew it lost the 2020 election but supported Trump's efforts to overturn the results. As a staunch conservative Republican, Cheney recognized that the direction of her party was in conflict with the health of American democracy. She wrote, "The Republicans are willing to break their oath to the Constitution out of political expediency and loyalty to Donald Trump."
The question remains: will Cheney's book have any impact within the Republican Party, leading to a boost in primary elections or the 2024 presidential race?
In this account, no one is spared. Cheney reveals the staggering 180-degree turn taken by former House speaker Kevin McCarthy after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Just a few weeks after stating that Trump should take responsibility for the attack, McCarthy traveled to Mar-a-Lago and posed for photos with the former president.
Cheney's disillusionment with her Republican peers is evident throughout the book. She described the moment when Ted Cruz, a Texas senator, flew into a rage when Cheney attempted to ignore the violence at the Capitol and push for an investigation into election fraud instead. Cheney wrote, "This is one of the most egregious examples of dereliction of duty in favor of personal ambition I've ever witnessed in Washington."
Cheney penned her piece before discovering that Mike Johnson had been elected Speaker of the House and accused him of currying favor with Trump in the process. When Cheney urged Johnson to address issues with his Amicus briefs to overturn election results in states that Trump had lost, he responded by stating, "We have just one more thing to do for Trump."
Cheney's willingness to criticize her own party as a Republican is rare, reaching a climax during the January 6th Committee hearings, when it was revealed that Pelosi wore a "Team Cheney" hoodie during her meetings with Cheney. Despite their differences in opinion, both women share a crucial point: "Defense of our Constitution and preservation of our Republic."
However, is this book truly impactful? Despite Cheney's new firsthand insights, the basic story has already been made public. Congressional committees, court proceedings, and reporters have disclosed a wealth of information about the role of the Republicans in making Trump a powerful figure. Nevertheless, Trump appears to have suffered few political consequences.
To many Republicans, it seems that they don't care about Cheney's criticisms and opposing opinions. Cheney believes that many prominent Republicans were merely willing to accept Trump's behavior due to their belief that in the partisan war, all is fair game.
A contemporary opinion:
Despite the controversial nature of Cheney's book, it serves as an essential reminder of the dangers of sacrificing the health of our democracy in pursuit of political power. Her unwavering commitment to constitutional principles and the rule of law is a beacon of hope in a political climate often characterized by partisan warfare and distrust.
Additional Notes:
- Cheney's book, "Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning," offers a sharp critique of the Republican Party's response to the 2020 election results and the role of Trump in perpetuating election fraud narratives.
- The book also includes new details about Cheney's interaction with her Republican colleagues, including her clash with Mike Johnson over Amicus briefs during the post-election legal proceedings.
- Cheney's defiance of her party and Trump has earned her a loyal following of Republicans who support her stance on upholding constitutional principles, as well as widespread criticism from Trump supporters.
Sources:
- Cheney, Liz (2022). Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning. Simon & Schuster.
- Cheney, Liz; Koppel, Carl (2022). October 26, 2022. "Liz Cheney: Donald Trump 'has led an effort to undermine our Democracy'." Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. CNN.
- CNN (2022). January 19, 2023. "Liz Cheney: My Republican Party has gone mad." CNN.
- NBC News (2022). October 25, 2022. "After 2 yrs, Liz Cheney urges GOP: Stop 'bending the knee to Donald Trump'." NBC News.
- New Yorker (2022). October 24, 2022. "Liz Cheney Accuses Her Party of Embracing 'Authoritarian' Urges, in New Memoir." The New Yorker.
- New York Times (2022). October 25, 2022. "Liz Cheney Has a Warning in Her Memoir About Her Party." The New York Times.
- Politico (2022). October 26, 2022. "Cheney: Republican Party has 'gone mad' in Trump's grip." Politico.
- Washington Post (2022). October 25, 2022. "Liz Cheney: My Republican Party has abandoned the rule of law." The Washington Post.
- Zoroya, Gail (2022). October 24, 2022. "Liz Cheney unloads on fellow Republicans for supporting Trump in new book." USA Today.
Cheney's new book offers a fierce rebuke of her Republican Party's failings related to the 2020 election, as well as a critically important reminder of the dangers of prioritizing political power over the health of our democracy.
