As a committed liberal, I never thought I would find myself appreciating the wisdom of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney.

Yet, here we are. In an election season full of unexpected developments, the biggest shock came on Friday when former congresswoman Liz Cheney announced that her father, a conservative figurehead, would be voting for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

The senior Cheney later confirmed this in a statement, saying: “As citizens, it is our responsibility to prioritize our country over party politics to uphold our Constitution. Therefore, I will be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris.”

Liz Cheney had previously declared her backing for Harris. Together, the Cheneys provide a strong foundation for other Republican voters to consider supporting Harris and, more crucially, to help remove Donald J. Trump from their party.

Dick Cheney envisions a dire future under Trump, aligns with Democrats

Let’s not be mistaken, the Cheneys have not shifted to the left. They aren’t advocating for student loan forgiveness or engaging in activities with figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Instead, they’ve made a judicious and patriotic choice recognizing that Trump is unqualified in every aspect. They observe that he has transformed their party into a personality cult, a governing body detached from facts and edging toward authoritarianism.

If endorsing Harris and the Democratic ticket is necessary to prevent Trump’s self-serving influence on America, the Cheneys and the increasing number of Republicans unwilling to support Trump will do so.

They recognize that the Republican Party that once belonged to Ronald Reagan, the Bush family, and Sen. John McCain – not to mention Dick Cheney himself – has been taken over by a mix of self-serving charlatans and anti-democratic extremists. They wish to reclaim the party and push figures like Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marjorie Taylor Greene to the farthest edges of the right-wing fringe, where they rightfully belong.

Cheney’s endorsement of Harris is politically monumental

“Dick Cheney will be voting for Kamala Harris,” Liz Cheney announced Friday at an event in Austin.

It’s challenging to convey how significant and historic this choice is. Already, numerous former Cabinet members of Trump have declared their refusal to support him. Even his former vice president, Mike Pence, has withheld his endorsement.

Furthermore, Liz Cheney, alongside former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., has openly endorsed Harris, making their stance on Trump very clear.

However, Dick Cheney – known for being a figure that many Democrats despise – takes the concept of being a Republican while supporting Harris to a new, more acceptable level.

The Cheneys view Trump as entirely unfit for office, and they’re correct.

Cheney’s daughter remarked: “If you reflect on the current situation, and consider how critical this moment is, my dad believes – and he has publicly stated – that there has never been a person in our nation as serious a danger to our democracy as Donald Trump, and that’s the reality we face.”

In his statement later that Friday, the former vice president expressed his contempt for Trump again: “He attempted to undermine the last election using deceit and violence to cling to power after the voters had denied him. He can never be trusted with power again.”

And that sums up the issue. Trump, aside Through his actions, Trump has transformed the GOP into a vehicle for personal gain and self-promotion, taking deliberate steps to undermine our democracy by constantly questioning the legitimacy of our elections, criticizing NATO, and siding with authoritarian leaders from unfriendly nations.

If there’s common ground between Democrats and the Cheneys, it’s that this individual needs to be halted. For reflective conservatives, putting an end to Trump is essential for reviving their party.

This is a partnership based not just on convenience, but on a shared commitment to decency and patriotism. I believe this represents the last opportunity for traditional Republicans like the Cheneys to dismantle the MAGA movement.

To rebuild the GOP, Trump must be completely sidelined

Trump has revealed to right-wing opportunists that aligning with his brand of politics can be lucrative and enlist followers. (Trump’s ideology is vague; he is neither strictly conservative nor liberal. He primarily supports whatever benefits him and incites anger among his supporters.)

Thus, if thoughtful conservatives – and I believe many still exist – choose not to follow the lead the Cheneys have set, and fail to recognize that removing Trump from the political scene may require them to hold their nose and vote for a Democrat, they might as well say farewell to their party.

If Trump secures a win, or even a close defeat, the MAGA movement will continue to thrive. In that scenario, the Cheneys will fade into obscurity, and the party that once upheld conservative values will be irretrievably lost.

Dick Cheney is evidently aware of this looming disaster. To his credit, he’s decided to vote for a Democrat.

Follow YSL News columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter, @RexHuppke and on Facebook facebook.com/RexIsAJerk