Former Wyoming Republican Rep.Liz Cheney made the case for why the "party of [Abraham] Lincoln" should join her in casting their ballots this year for Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump, as she scorched the former president over his "depravity" and threat to the republic.
Taking to the podium in Wisconsin, "Thank you, Liz" chants broke out in Ripon, Wisconsin, the birthplace of the party. Cheney shared that Wisconsin is special to her, because in 1966, a very young Dick and Lynne Cheney were graduate students, and she was born in Madison.
"Coming back always feels to me more than a little bit like coming home," she said.
Cheney jabbed the MAGA leader, telling rally-goers she was a Republican "even before Donald Trump started spray tanning," to laughs. She described herself as a "Ronald Reagan conservative," and supporter of low taxes, limited government, a strong national defense, and that family — not the government — is the "most important structure in society."
But Cheney said that security and freedom depend upon a world in which America and its allies lead.
"And above all else, I know that the most conservative of conservative values is fidelity to our Constitution," she said.
Cheney added: "I have never voted for a Democrat. But this year I am proudly casting my vote for Kamala Harris," she said to loud applause and more, "Thank you, Liz" chants.
"Mostly," she continued, "we're not going back."
Harris is "standing in the breach during a critical moment" in the nation's history, said Cheney, and is trying to unite what she called reasonable people across the political spectrum. Cheney praised Harris for dedicating her life to public service and said Harris loves the country and will be a president for all Americans.
"I am honored to join her in this urgent cause," said Cheney.
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Cheney then launched into a desperate plea to her party, saying the "republic faces a threat unlike any we have faced before." She slammed Trump for trying to stay in power and refusing to accept lawful results confirmed by dozens of courts.
"In this election, putting patriotism ahead of partisanship is not an aspiration, it is our duty," she declared, noting that the peaceful transition of power is "at the very heart of our republic's survival."
"Violence does not and must never determine who rules us," she said. "Voters do."
Among the president's "solemn" obligations is to ensure and guarantee that power, she said. That obligation has been honored each election since the beginning of the republic until Trump lost the 2020 election.
"I don't care if you are a Democrat or a Republican or independent. That is depravity. And we mustn't become numb to it. Any person who would do these things can never be trusted with power again," said Cheney.
"He is petty and he is vindictive and he is cruel," she said.
