It’s come down now to this: We’re now left to wonder whether a defeated candidate for Congress called an opponent to offer “congratulations” on the victory.
Let’s see. What have we heard?
Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming lost the Republican Party primary election this week to Harriet Hageman. Cheney is an avid foe of Donald Trump; Hageman received Trump’s endorsement because of Cheney’s stand on the rule of law.
Hageman thumped Cheney, who then stood before the nation and told us she called Hageman because the challenger got more votes than Cheney did. There was no mention of good wishes, an atta girl, statement of support from Cheney.
Then Hageman’s staff leaked something about Cheney reportedly calling the victorious candidate. The call reportedly lasted five seconds, with Cheney actually congratulating Hageman.
Cheney reportedly left a voice mail message.
Right-wing media, naturally, are all over this snippet. They contend that Cheney should issue a public statement congratulating Hageman and even offer to support her as she prepares — as expected — to take her seat in Congress next January.
Cheney has been vilified, demonized and otherwise termed into a GOP pariah simply because she remains faithful to the oath she took to protect the Constitution and our democratic process.
To be honest, she doesn’t owe Hageman anything more than a concession call. She delivered it. The story is over.
However, I do not expect it to be over. I fully expect right-wing media to continue harping on what should be a non-starter. Cheney deserves to be torqued over the treatment she has gotten from those who accuse her of being a “traitor” to a president who — dare I say — has broken multiple laws.
Then again, I need to remind everyone reading this message that Donald Trump himself lowered the standard for electoral decency by refusing to concede his own defeat in 2020 to Joe Biden, who whipped his sorry, overfed backside.
Therefore, we are witnessing more of this nonsense playing out in Liz Cheney’s valiant attempt to win re-election to her congressional office.
Our political process has gone bonkers!