Lynne Cheney To Alan Simpson: ‘Shut Up–Just Shut Up–Shut up’
Lynne Cheney is upset that former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson is supporting Mike Enzi for Senator rather than her pride and joy, Liz Cheney. Simpson explains what happened at a September 21 ball.
…she said, “How could you forget the little eight-year-old girl (Liz) who campaigned with us and for you in 1978? How could you not support her?” I said, “You don’t understand. I’ve known Mike Enzi for over 35 years. Ann and I heard him speak at a Wyoming Jaycees’ convention in Cody while he was president of that organization. It was an inspirational speech and when he returned to our table I said, “Have you ever thought of running for political office?” And he said, “No.” I said, “I don’t even know what party you’re in but you ought to get in the game. Anybody with a thoughtful and articulate message like yours should be more involved in our state.” He certainly went on to do just that. He became Mayor of Gillette and helped them through their most troubling times of growth, then he was a member of the Wyoming Legislature and when I retired in 1996 he ran for my seat along with eight other persons and he was the one nominated to succeed me.
All during those intervening years we counseled together, visited, enjoyed each other, collaborated, all hopefully for the benefit of the state and the country.” And then Lynne Cheney said, “Oh, I’ve heard enough of that and I don’t want to hear anymore. I just want to tell you something, “Shut up – just shut up – shut up.”” Three times. I wandered off – stunned. I went back to my table, told my family (who were my guests) what had occurred. They were also shocked.
