CNN Pundits Admit: Liz Cheney’s Base Is ‘Democrats and the Beltway Media!’

You don’t need all the voters to win a Republican primary election. . .

It would take a lot of work for Liz Cheney to win the GOP national primary. This is despite her defeat in Wyoming’s Republican congressional primary yesterday. To show how hard that climb might be, today’s A New Day CNN announced that Cheney received two legs from CNN’s base of support. . . Democrats and Beltway media

Harry Enten (a CNN polling expert) was first to offer a Reality Check of the polling results. Cheney has no chance of winning because her bad polling numbers.

ENTEN That might be the audience she wants to appeal to. Her base is within the Democratic partyRight, 36. That’s not surprising considering the fact that Joe Biden had …. in the two Wyoming counties she won. 

Overall, however, this is a question I am not sure of given the number. [-10 overall favorability]What she will do to Stop Donald Trump is a mystery, particularly considering her relationship with Republicans.

The panel discussion was followed by a candid talk from Nia Malika Henderson, CNN’s political analyst. It wasn’t surprising that she offered such a candid opinion, which would not have been unusual coming from us. She stated:

HENDERSON You get what I’m referring to.Her party is in many ways the Beltway media [chuckles]. You never know what she could get in for. AtlanticShe might get a deal with cable TV. In terms of actual Republicans following her, however, we see this in the polling and in these race results. She is, as you all know, an individual on her own in her party. 

Establishment Republican analyst Scott Jennings seconded Henderson’s take:

“There might not be enough Republican primary voters for Liz Cheney to support her.” Your vote is important. [Henderson’s] point, Liz Cheney may have enough interviews.

Cheney’s appearance on NBC was a reference to him. TodaySavannah Guthrie will play the brave martyr. Jennings also pointed out what he called a “very intriguing” political shift by Hageman. Hageman had been part of an effort to prevent Trump winning the nomination at the 2016 Republican National Convention. She ran for the primary in support of Trump, and received his endorsement. He described her as “pure populist”, posing to be a “vessel” for any “mob” desire. 

CNN’s New Day described Liz Cheney as having a base of support made up of Democrats and Beltway media. This was partly sponsored by Samsung, which makes Tempur-Pedic and Skechers phones.

You can find the transcription here.

CNN
Neue Day
8/17/22
6:02 am EDT

HARRY ENTEN: Well, so she’s determined to win the national contest and I have no idea what her lane will be. Here’s part of her net favorability score. This is her favorable minus unfavorable. Among all voters, it’s at 10 points minus. It’s below water. 

It’s not surprising that it is so low among Republicans at minus 53 and independents at minus 17. This might be the target group that she would like to appeal to. 

Her base is within the Democratic partyIt’s right at 36. It’s no surprise, considering that Joe Biden contested two of the Wyoming counties in which she was elected. 

Overall, however, Given this number, I am not sure. [-10 overall favorability]What she is going to do to Donald Trump, in particular?Given her relationship with Republicans, this is a very good sign.

NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON: Listen, she’s got big plans, right? The speech had grand language and references to Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, etc. This speech is not clear if it’s Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, or both. 

She spoke of America as a “house on fire” in many aspects, including the threat to democracy. And she said that she wants to help Americans put out this fire being started by Donald Trump’s allies. 

We will soon see. You will see. Liz Cheney has never been to a party. Her party is in many ways the Beltway media. [chuckles].You never know. She might be featured in The Atlantic and get a deal with cable TV. 

However, in terms of actual Republicans following her, it is clear in the polling and in this race results, but she is, as you all know, an individual on her own in her party. 

. . . 

JOHNBERMAN – You mentioned actual Republicans. Scott Jennings is right next to you! This is the lesson you should learn.

SCOTT JENINGS: I believe that Trump’s stance is possible to survive, provided it does not become a crusade. Cheney was compelled to make this a crusade and she has paid for it. 

This raised an interesting question. Sometimes in politics-science circles we discuss whether Congressmen should behave the same way that they believe they should or if they are to reflect what constituents think. 

In Wyoming, however, it was discovered that Republicans would prefer their representative to be more like a mirror rather than someone who listens to her heart. She is correct in her position, but they are incorrect. So, in today’s world, that is a fascinating question. 

Hageman is the person that we rarely talk about. She won and has had a long journey. You know, she plotted a coup against Donald Trump from the Republican National Convention floor. She is a shrewd, calculating woman. [chuckles]She was one of those who tried to organize a vote from the floor in order to remove Donald Trump. 

So, She represents, well, what I want to do. It’s a populist, I suppose. No views do I hold. I will serve as an instrument for what the mob wants me to do, in this case, Republican voters.

. . . 

While there might not be enough Republican primary voters for Liz Cheney to survive, you can help. [points to Henderson]There may not be enough interviews for Liz to last. Cheney. She’ll be appearing on major networks this morning at 7:01 AM. This is part of her plan. You want to generate as much attention as possible for yourself over the course of time and then see what happens. It’s not likely, I think.

. . . 

This is something she believes strongly in. There’s something admirable about those who face negative consequences and who persevere. You know what the raw, cynical and political strategist in me thinks? If you go out now, it’s like going out. Now, your chances of attaining the objectives you desire are slim. It’s a fascinating duality. Admiring the dedication versus asking, “When are you going to realize that you’re on the edge of a cliff?”

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