Bonjean added, “You want to engage the hug-the-opposition strategy.”

By that, Bonjean means Cheney should have employed what some have called the “gold watch strategy,” praising your fellow Republican and hoping they get the hint and move on to greener pastures.

Bonjean says she should have said something more like this, “‘We love Senator Enzi, he’s done a great job, but it’s time for a new chapter. We appreciate his leadership and thank him for it, but it’s time for him to move along so that there can be new leadership for the new problems we are facing.'”…

“You have to be careful, especially in a small state where everyone knows each other,” Walsh said. “Senator Enzi is still well-liked in Wyoming, and in a small state if the vast majority of voters have met and feel like they know him, it becomes much more personal.”