McCarthy aide reacts to Liz Cheney attack with 'ironic' Dick Cheney quote

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Katie Pavlich: There is no chance Liz Cheney will be president

Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich explains the aftermath of Tuesday's Wyoming Republican primary and the effects it will have on Liz Cheney's political future.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy's office brushed off a disparaging comment from outgoing Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney on Wednesday, citing a quote from her father.

Cheney spoke about McCarthy's leadership in the party early Wednesday, stating that he was not a wise choice to head the GOP moving forward. Harriet Hageman easily defeated Cheney on Tuesday night in the GOP primary race to represent Wyoming's at-large congressional district.

"We need leaders who have reverence for our Constitution, who are faithful to our Constitution, and who are going to do what's required to abide by our oath," Cheney said on NBC's "Today" show, "no matter whether or not it's politically convenient. Kevin McCarthy certainly does not fit that bill."

When asked for a response, an aide to McCarthy pointed Fox News to "comments made by Liz Cheney's father, Dick Cheney, when he was campaigning in 1976."

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House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Liz Cheney listen to questions during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol on May 27, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Dick Cheney said at the time: "Principle is OK up to a certain point, but principle doesn't do any good if you lose."

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The McCarthy aide called it an "ironic quote from her dad."

Former Vice President Dick Cheney praises his daughter and blasts former President Donald Trump in a campaign commercial for Rep. Liz Cheney. (Liz Cheney re-election campaign)

Cheney was the most senior of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Trump on a charge of inciting the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, which was waged by right-wing extremists and other Trump supporters who aimed to disrupt congressional certification of President Biden’s Electoral College victory in the 2020 election.

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Rep. Liz Cheney departs after speaking to supporters during a primary night event on Aug. 16, 2022, in Jackson, Wyoming. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The conservative lawmaker and defense hawk immediately came under verbal attack from Trump and his allies, and in May of last year she was ousted from her No. 3 House GOP leadership position.

McCarthy said earlier this week that he believes he’ll be the next speaker of the House.

"I believe so. We’ll win the majority and I’ll be speaker. Yes," McCarthy said in an exclusive interview with Fox News on Monday as he pointed toward the likely regaining of the House majority by the GOP in November’s midterm elections.