Could a Cheney Make It in Washington?

Wyoming's Liz Cheney and Georgia's Michelle Nunn may join Rand Paul and the Udall cousins in the Senate, perhaps someday negotiating with another President Clinton or a President Jeb Bush over important policy measures. Can the child of a political dynasty succeed?

Liz Cheney, daughter of the former vice president, has formally announced her intention to run for Senate in the Cheneys' traditional home state of Wyoming. If she were to win, she could be met in the chamber by Michelle Nunn, daughter of former senator Sam Nunn, who is likely to run for Senate in the Nunns' home state of Georgia.

Cheney and Nunn would arrive in the nation's capital too late to serve with Ben Quayle, son of the former vice president, who lost reelection to the House in the 2012 primary after facing a more senior member due to redistricting. They also would miss the chance to serve with Patrick Kennedy, son of the late senator Ted Kennedy, who retired from his Rhode Island House seat in 2011. And Joe Kennedy II, son of former attorney general Robert F. Kennedy, who retired from his House seat in 1999. If they win, the two new senators would, however, be greeted by Joe Kennedy III, son of Joe Kennedy II, who began representing Massachusetts in the House in January.

They'd have an instant conversation-starter on the Senate floor with Rand Paul, son of former congressman Ron Paul, and Senators Mark and Tom Udall, cousins who also serve in the body. Mark, of course, is the son of former Arizona representative Mo Udall; Tom, is the son of former Arizona representative Stewart Udall.

Cheney's decision to run pits her against Wyoming's senior senator, Mike Enzi, who has served three terms in that position. (He's not happy about Cheney's decision.) Cheney brings strong name recognition to the race in America's least populous state; her father served as vice president for George W. Bush and also as secretary of defense in the administration of Bush's father, George H.W. Bush. Enzi's father owned a shoe store.

At the time this story was completed, neither Chelsea Clinton nor her mother had released any public statements on Cheney's decision.

Cheney's announcement video is below. In it, she mentions her family's long history in Wyoming and lamenting a federal government "grown far beyond anything the pioneers of our great state could ever have imagined." "The last four-and-a-half years," she adds, "have been particularly devastating." 

Photo: Liz Cheney appears at an event with an unidentified man. (AP)