Politico reporter Tara Palmeri went to Cheyenne, WY, with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to write about a rally of those opposed to my state’s one-and-only Representative, Liz Cheney. The source of their opposition: Cheney’s recent vote to impeach Donald Trump, about which we wrote here.
When the opportunity arose to fly across the country to see whether a slick-suited, 30-something congressman from Florida could stage a substantial rally in the name of DONALD TRUMP — in the district of a thrice-elected congresswoman with next-level name recognition — I knew I couldn’t resist.
And you know what, MATT GAETZ pulled it off.
On the steps of the Wyoming statehouse Thursday, at least 800 people were chanting “USA! USA!” while the GOP upstart (joined by DONALD TRUMP JR. via phone) blasted the state’s only congresswoman, LIZ CHENEY. It was a pocket-sized crowd compared to an actual Trump rally, but the maskless baby boomers in red MAGA caps emitted that same feverish voltage.
Then Palmeri wandered around Cheyenne talking to people who weren’t at the rally and found a lot of agreement with the anti-Cheney sentiment expressed. Two concluding thoughts from her trip.
Honestly, it was hard to find anyone who would defend Cheney.
If there was any doubt this is still Trump’s Republican Party, my time in Cheyenne dispelled it.
For the least populous state in our Union - which Wyoming is - 800 is a big political crowd.
