Expert compares Dick Cheney’s support for Harris to Colin Powell's surprise endorsement of Obama in 2008

WASHINGTON, DC: Former GOP Rep Liz Cheney boosted Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential hopes by revealing that her father, Dick Cheney, would vote for the Democrat in November.

The endorsement from Dick, a prominent Republican figure and the former vice president during George W Bush's administration, reflected his daughter's opposition to former President Donald Trump, who revamped the GOP with his MAGA ideology.

In an MSNBC interview political strategist and Democratic pollster Cornell Belcher viewed Harris' latest support from the GOP camp as similar to an endorsement former president Barack Obama received from Gen Colin Powell when he first ran for the White House in 2008, as per Raw Story.

Comparing the current situation to the former US Secretary of State Powell's support to the 44th President, Belcher claimed that it could inspire hesitant Republicans to cast their votes for a Democrat in November.

How Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama impacted the 2008 White House race?

Colin Powell threw his support behind Barack Obama, breaking with the Republican Party just 12 days before the November 2008 election.

"I think we need a generational change," the retired Army general said in the bombshell endorsement, according to CNN.

The endorsement was unexpected by both Barack Obama and his GOP rival, John McCain. It significantly impacted the final stretch of the presidential race, ultimately paving the way for Obama, the first man of color, to enter the White House.

Powell was impressed by Obama's "intellectual vigor" during his presidential campaign, contrasting it with the drawbacks of McCain's bid, such as his choice of Sarah Palin as running mate and a disorganized strategy to address the economic crisis.

What ultimately turned the tide in Obama's favor was how Powell helped reshape the narrative around the future president's background and faith.

In a statement after Powell's death in 2021, the 44th President himself highlighted how he helped the Democratic victory in 2008.

"At a time when conspiracy theories were swirling, with some questioning my faith, General Powell took the opportunity to get to the heart of the matter in a way only he could," Obama recalled.

"'The correct answer is, he is not a Muslim; he’s a Christian,'” the former president quoted Powell as saying.

The retired Army general came forward, silencing those who questioned Obama's faith.

As recalled by the Democrat, Powell, in his endorsement, said, "But the really right answer is, 'What if he is?' Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president?"

In 2021, Obama noted that Powell understood what was best in the US and brought his ideas to life through his career and public remarks to emphasize his ideals.

Powell, the first Black Secretary of State and the first and only Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the history of the US, had clarified that the need to have a first black president was not why he endorsed Obama but was due to the darkening tone of US' political discourse.

Democratic pollster explains how Dick Cheney's endorsement would help Kamala Harris

Comparing Dick Cheney's shift to Kamala Harris' camp with Colin Powell's surprising support for Barack Obama illustrates how such endorsements could help Harris gain more support from cautious Republicans.

Deeming the support a "needle-moving moment," the pollster noted that those Republicans who were delaying making a final decision could consider Dick Cheney's move as a "permission structure" to vote for the Democratic ticket.

He further described it as an extraordinary moment in modern history. Belcher admitted to being skeptical about the impact of endorsements on voters but noted that some surprising endorsements in the past decade have significantly influenced election outcomes.

Harris, the first woman and first person of color to adorn the vice president's chair, was attacked by her opponent, Trump, regarding her racial identity.

Trump recently claimed that the vice president at first upheld her Indian heritage, but since entering the 2024 race, she suddenly embraced her Black identity. Harris was born to an Indian immigrant mother and a Jamaican-American father.

Netizens split on impact of Dick Cheney's endorsement of Kamala Harris for 2024 election

Netizens are divided on the potential impact of Dick Cheney's support for Kamala Harris in the election. Some argue it won't influence Donald Trump's chances, while others view the endorsement as a significant boost for Harris.

"'Yeah I was on the fence. But when I learned that dick Cheney endorsed her I made up my mind and I'm team Kamala!' There's not a person in the country who had that thought. Is this a joke?" a user wrote on X.

While another commented below the Raw Story article, "Dick Cheney says he isn't going to vote for a traitor. Proving that Trump can give even the worst amongst us a chance to do good."

"Sorry, this endorsement by the Cheney's will have ZERO effect on the outcome of the election. Need we be reminded Liz Cheney lost her primary by 32 points to an unknown for committing the cardinal sin of speaking out against Traitor Trump after he was out office," read a third response.

Whereas a user said, "Cheney is still awful but.....we take what we can get... whatever works to get Kamala elected by as wide of a margin as possible."

"Not sure this moves any needles. Not like anyone likes or cares what Dick Cheney thinks. I DO think if Mike Pence and Mitt Romney endorsed Harris, that MIGHT actually make a difference. Maybe," someone else chimed in.

On the other hand, an individual opined, "MAGAts ALREADY consider Bush & Cheney as RINOS, all for different twisted reasons or conspiracies. These are some sick sick sick people."

"I doubt that Dick Cheney's endorsement will move the needle much. Most people already know who they're voting for. Anyone sick enough to support Trump won't be cured by Dick Cheney's medicine," another user added.

While, one remark read, "This will hep bring some more of those Quiet Quitting Republican women on board for Kamala Harris."

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