First look: Cheney to defend her position on Constitution in new ad
- Alayna Treene, author of Axios Sneak Peek
Rep. Liz Cheney's newest television ad — to be released on Saturday — features the Wyoming Republican defending her position on the Constitution — and subtly taking a dig at former President Trump, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Cheney's campaign ads have so far mainly focused on her accomplishments for the people of Wyoming. This ad, however, emphasizes her position on abiding by the Constitution even "when it is politically inconvenient" — a direct stab at Trump, whom she has repeatedly argued "betrayed" the Constitution on Jan. 6.
- The ad, obtained first by Axios, is a sign from the campaign that even in Trump-friendly Wyoming, Cheney isn’t shying away from her position that the former president remains a clear and present danger.
Between the lines: Cheney faces a tough re-election fight in November, earning a massive target on her back with her vote to impeach Trump last year and her prominent role as vice chair of the Jan. 6 committee.
- The relentless criticism has made her a pariah within the House GOP — where she once was the highest-ranking female Republican — and in Wyoming, a state where her family has long been considered political nobility.
- Meanwhile, Cheney's opponent, Trump-backed Harriet Hageman, has been leading in the polls.
Details: The 30-second spot, titled "Shield," opens with Cheney speaking at last week's heated debate in Wyoming, where she argued many Republicans are "now embracing a cult of personality" and must choose between Trump and the Constitution.
- "If we don’t abide by the Constitution when it is politically inconvenient, then we will not have the Constitution as our shield when we need to defend our First Amendment rights and our Second Amendment rights," Cheney says in the ad.
- The spot also features three Wyoming Republicans endorsing Cheney and praising her position on constitutional rights.