No Clintons, no Bushes, no Kennedys. And shortly, no Cheneys.

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“There is a new 21st century American Revolution taking place. Except the kings and queens are not in England but here among us. The patriots are voting these Tories out of office. We can hardly wait for Nov. 8,”
–John McLaughlin

Liz Cheney ends 75 years of modern political dynasties

Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney’s GOP primary defeat this week did more than just end her family’s dominance in U.S. politics dating back to her father’s role as President Gerald Ford’s chief of staff in 1974.

It also marked the coming end of a long stretch of at least 75 years of somebody from one of America’s modern political dynasties serving in federal elected or appointed office.

Since 1947, when then-Sen. John F. Kennedy came to Washington, there has been either a Kennedy, a Bush, a Cheney, or a Clinton in office. There was a two-year gap, between 2011 and 2013, when none of those families held an elected seat, but Hillary Clinton was the secretary of state for President Barack Obama.

And the streak could be stretched back at least to 1933 and the Byrds of Virginia, including former Sens. Harry Byrd and Harry Byrd Jr. (who left the chamber in 1983).

Despite a Britain-born hatred for blood politics by colonial Americans that continues to this day in many political circles, the United States has voted in members of prominent political families, which makes Cheney’s loss on Tuesday all the more jarring.

“The end of political dynasties represents the decline of the establishment wings of both parties and the desire by voters to have change and new blood in Washington. It’s unlikely we are going to see a political dynasty endure like we have over the past 75 years,” said Ron Bonjean, a Republican strategist and former House and Senate official.

Cheney is just the last to get rejected as the nation turns away from dynasties. The Bush family failed this year to extend its long streak in Texas when George P. Bush lost his bid for attorney general. Of course, Clinton lost to then-candidate Donald Trump in 2016 and, despite hinting at a return, has failed to generate support. And the Kennedy clan has taken a breather from seeking federal office.

The country appears to agree with former first lady Barbara Bush, who said of her son Jeb’s 2016 bid for the presidency, “We’ve had enough Bushes. … It’s not just four families or whatever.”

Historian and Reagan biographer Craig Shirley agreed. “Political dynasties are dangerous to our republic. They tend to aggregate power, and that is risky. The framers never intended for power to be amassed by one family. That was for the British. Not America,” he said.

Politically, there is also a concern that dynasties stifle new thinking. Charlie Kirk, who founded the successful Turning Point USA activist organization aimed at young conservatives, said Cheney’s defeat has helped to end a dominant Republican viewpoint that many in the party reject.

“Neo-conservative dynasties have been rejected by voters across the country. Middle-class Americans have repudiated the Republican oligarchy. It is a new day for the Republican Party,” he told us.

And Democratic pollster John Zogby said the end of modern political dynasties suggests that Washington and its elites have lost their influence.

“With Liz Cheney leaving office, it looks like the end of the notion of a ‘D.C. elite.’ I don’t see any other family on the horizon. Both a fulfillment of our culture and a revolution away from inside-the-Beltway dominance,” he said.

Republican pollster John McLaughlin said also that it is a sign that voters want to send Washington a big message and are eager for the fall elections.

“Twenty-first century voters are done with the 20th century politicians. Post-COVID, things were supposed to get better. However, working middle-class voters in the heartland and Sunbelt are hurting, and they are in an open, peaceful democratic revolt against the ruling Washington political class. They are tired of being exploited by big government, big business, and big tech and having the hard work, wealth, and freedom taken from them. They are anxious, angry, and frustrated about their present situation and very concerned about the future. The corrupt ruling political dynasties that enabled our country to be exploited and decline are being fired,” said McLaughlin.

“There is a new 21st century American Revolution taking place. Except the kings and queens are not in England but here among us. The patriots are voting these Tories out of office. We can hardly wait for Nov. 8,” he added.