Former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, a long-standing opponent of abortion rights, criticized Republican-led abortion bans and called on conservatives to back Democrat Kamala Harris for president. Her remarks came during three events in swing states aimed at attracting suburban Republican voters away from Donald Trump. Cheney, a prominent conservative surrogate for Harris, is rumored to be considered for a position in a potential Harris administration.
At the last event in Waukesha, Wisconsin, against a backdrop that read “country over party,” Cheney, 58, expressed concern over the restrictive abortion policies enacted since the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in the Dobbs case, which ended abortion as a constitutional right. She highlighted how some states have gone too far, citing cases where women have died because doctors feared criminal liability for providing necessary medical treatment.
Cheney emphasized that America needs a leader who values compassion and can address these issues without politicizing them. She argued that even those who are pro-life should reject extreme measures like Texas’ efforts to access women’s medical records. She urged for federal intervention to protect women from harmful policies.
Drawing a contrast with Trump, Cheney noted his appointment of justices who overturned Roe v. Wade and his inconsistent rhetoric on the issue. She said, “You just can’t count on him,” and accused him of cruelty, stating that America deserves better.
Cheney’s remarks echoed comments from earlier events in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, targeting counties where Nikki Haley had performed well in the Republican primary. Cheney’s endorsement of Harris further fueled speculation about a potential role in a future administration.
Harris, meanwhile, adopted a moderate tone, emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation and grounded debates. During the tour, the two criticized Trump’s foreign policy approach, particularly his admiration for autocratic leaders. Cheney highlighted the danger in Trump’s praise of tyrants, while Harris warned that Trump’s claim to end the Russia-Ukraine war in a day would essentially mean surrendering to Vladimir Putin.
Some questioned the choice to campaign with Cheney in Michigan, which has a significant Arab American population, due to her hawkish foreign policy and her father’s involvement in the Iraq war. Trump’s criticism followed, attacking Harris and Cheney over foreign policy.
Cheney reassured hesitant Republicans, advising them to vote their conscience in the privacy of the ballot box. The events also included lighter moments, with Harris joking about managing stress and expressing a resolve to not feel powerless.
Last week, more than 100 former Republican officials joined Harris in Pennsylvania to support her campaign, with Cheney urging Republicans to make the patriotic choice by voting for Democrats. Throughout the tour, Cheney and Harris demonstrated a strong rapport, even sharing a laugh when Cheney remarked, “If you wouldn’t hire somebody to babysit your kids, you shouldn’t make that guy the president of the United States.”