In an unprecedented move, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to campaign alongside former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney in Ripon, Wisconsin, on October 3, 2024. This strategic alliance aims to garner cross-party support in the final weeks leading up to the November election.
Ripon, a small town between Madison and Green Bay, holds significant historical importance as the birthplace of the Republican Party. The GOP was founded there on March 20, 1854, in a one-room schoolhouse that has since been designated a National Historic Landmark. This location choice is not coincidental, as it symbolizes the evolving political landscape and the Harris campaign's efforts to appeal to disenchanted Republicans.
Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, endorsed Harris last month, stating:
"As a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this, and because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris."
Cheney's support for Harris comes after her vocal criticism of former President Donald Trump's actions leading up to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. As a former member of House GOP leadership, Cheney voted to impeach Trump and served as vice chair of the House select committee investigating the attack.
The Harris campaign has been actively seeking support from prominent Republican figures. Several GOP members, including former Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger and former Georgia lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan, spoke at the Democratic National Convention in August 2024.
Wisconsin, a crucial battleground state, has been a frequent destination for Harris. The state's swing status in recent presidential elections underscores its importance in the upcoming vote. The U.S. presidential election, held every four years on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November, relies on the Electoral College rather than the popular vote to determine the winner.
Harris, the first female, African American, and Asian American vice president, has promised to appoint a Republican to her Cabinet if elected. This pledge has fueled speculation about potential high-profile GOP appointments, although Cheney has stated she is "not focused on that" at present.
The collaboration between Harris and Cheney highlights the unusual nature of the 2024 election cycle. With the two-party dominant system facing challenges, this alliance represents a significant shift in traditional political allegiances. The Republican Party, symbolized by an elephant, and the Democratic Party, represented by a donkey, find themselves in a unique position as some GOP members cross party lines.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, both Harris and Cheney are expected to emphasize the importance of protecting democratic institutions and the Constitution. The upcoming election will not only determine the next president and vice president but also potentially shape the future of American politics.
The inauguration of the president and vice president, traditionally held on January 20 following the election, looms on the horizon. As Harris and Cheney campaign together in the birthplace of the GOP, they send a powerful message about unity and the need to prioritize national interests over party loyalty in these critical times.