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- How many GOP votes can Harris get after Cheney’s endorsement? (newsbreak.com)
Prominent Republicans endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris are exploring how many discontented GOP voters might support her against former President Donald Trump, known for his divisive style.
On Wednesday, former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney became the most notable Republican to endorse Harris.
Harris has also garnered support from former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger and numerous local Republican officials.
Her campaign aims to exploit Trump’s vulnerabilities among Republicans uneasy with his unconventional approach and character.
Harris’ outreach is just one strategy leading up to Election Day, but with no bigger endorsements left, she will soon discover if she can rally more dissatisfied Republicans or if she’s reached her limit.
**The ABC News presidential debate is set for Sept. 10 at 9 p.m. ET, airing on ABC and available for streaming on ABC News Live, Disney+, and Hulu.**
Former Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., noted, “The endorsements aim to make Republicans who are upset with Trump’s behavior feel better about voting for Harris rather than abstaining.” Brooks added that while the number of Republicans swayed might be small, in a tight race, it could be decisive.
Cheney, now a prominent anti-Trump Republican following the Jan. 6 insurrection, declared her support for Harris in North Carolina to protect American democracy. She also mentioned that her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, would back Harris.
“I felt it was crucial to have this discussion in North Carolina, where some Republicans, disillusioned with Trump, consider writing in a candidate. This election is too critical for such gestures,” Cheney said on Friday.
Harris’ strategy includes appealing to Republicans on the fence. Hundreds of thousands already supported former South Carolina Gov.
Nikki Haley in the GOP primary, even after she left the race. Trump’s indifference to his critics was evident when he said, “I don’t want that person” regarding those who didn’t vote for him in the primary.
The Democratic National Convention featured several Republican speakers, including Kinzinger. Harris has promised to appoint a Republican to her Cabinet and has invested heavily in ads suggesting Republicans have a place in her party.
While Harris isn’t relying solely on Republican converts, Democrats believe capturing even a small fraction of protest votes could be significant. High-profile endorsements from figures like Cheney and Kinzinger could encourage some Republicans to vote Democrat.
Democratic strategist Karen Finney noted, “Such endorsements signal to uncertain Republicans that respected figures share their concerns about Trump.”
Cheney’s potential influence on the campaign trail remains to be seen. In 2022, she funded an ad campaign against Arizona Republicans Kari Lake and Mark Finchem, contributing to their defeats.
However, polling indicates Harris has single-digit support among Republicans, and Trump’s long-standing public presence means his supporters might not be swayed by new endorsements.
Chuck Coughlin, a former GOP strategist, believes those already against Trump are likely firm in their stance. GOP pollster Robert Blizzard agrees, saying, “They aren’t moving against Trump because of a random former congressman’s endorsement.”
Some Republicans argue Cheney and Kinzinger’s warnings about Trump might not resonate, as democracy’s guardrails have held since the Jan. 6 attack.
Anti-Trump GOP strategist Rob Stutzman suggests endorsements from former Trump officials with national security backgrounds would be more impactful.
Some believe Harris has already maximized her GOP support. Former Florida Rep. David Jolly said, “While endorsements help, the real catalyst has been Harris herself.”
Trump’s campaign seems unfazed by Cheney’s endorsement. Spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissively asked, “Who the f— is Liz Cheney?”
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