The Republican Party is continuing to split between supporters of former President Donald Trump, and others who don’t. Rep. Liz Cheney (R.WY) can be counted upon by anti-Trump forces.
After former President Donald Trump called Rep. Tom Rice (R.SC) to the podium at an event in Palmetto State, Cheney ran for help.
Republicans must be rational, accountable, and truthful. @RepTomRiceIt is correct. This is something that most Republican colleagues are aware of. It is the danger that they are silent about.
GOP congressman calls Trump ‘a would-be tyrant’ | TheHill https://t.co/0PYw8RMsMk
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) March 13, 2022
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Yet, Rallies Still Attract Big Crowds
Trump hosted one of his most famous rallies Saturday in Florence, South Carolina. Even in the rain, people came out in large numbers to welcome Trump. It was there that Trump, while talking about local candidates, called Rice “a total fool.”
“Right here in the 7th Congressional District, Tom Rice, a disaster. He’s respected by no one, he’s laughed at in Washington, he was never thought highly of in Washington.”
Rice was one the 10 Republicans who voted for Trump’s impeachment in 2020.
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Trump’s rally was in part to support his endorsed candidates, who include Rice’s challenger, State Rep. Russell Fry.
Rice made a statement after the rally.
“Trump is here because, like no one else I’ve ever met, he is consumed by spite. I took one vote he didn’t like and now he’s chosen to support a yes man candidate who has and will bow to anything he says, no matter what.”
Republican Rep. Tom Rice (S.C.) calls Trump ‘a would-be tyrant’ https://t.co/tmDUW7EBGx
— Accalia Iratus (@Loboenski) March 13, 2022
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Uncertain
Rice and Cheney share another commonality, aside from their dislike for their leader. Both were censured by their states of origin for voting to impeach.
South Carolina Republican Party censured Rice for impeaching him in February. The Wyoming Republican Party censured Cheney for his impeachment vote. In November, they voted not to recognize Cheney as a Republican.
Another similarity is Trump’s endorsement of Republican primary opponents to both.
Trump endorsed Rice’s opponent Fry in February.
He made a rather curious endorsement against Cheney’s opponent, Harriet Hageman, last year.
Hageman used to be a close friend of Cheney and even served as her fundraiser. Hageman had referred to Trump as “racist and xenophobic” and was part of the Establishment GOP’s effort to deny Trump the Republican nomination in 2016.
“Before we can defeat the Democrat Socialists at the ballot box this fall, we first have to defeat the RINOs and grandstanders in the primaries earlier this year.”
Nancy Mace and Tom Rice, look at us!
— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) March 13, 2022
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