Senator Mike Enzi of Wyoming is in for a fight. Liz Cheney has decided to run against him in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. When asked about the primary challenge he said that he will focus on the job he was elected to do, and that “When the time comes, I am confident the people of Wyoming will vote for my results, dedication, legislative experience and hard work for the state."
Comparing some of his positions to the polling data, Mr. Enzi might be better off if the voters don’t look too closely at his record, particularly his long time fight to allow state tax collectors to reach across state lines to force businesses in other states to collect tax for them.
Last month, Gallup conducted a poll asking respondents, “Would you vote for or against a law that would allow each state to collect sales taxes on purchases its residents make online over the Internet?” Overall, the national survey results showed 57 percent opposing such a law and only 39 percent supporting. Only one age demographic supported such a bill—those 50-64 years old. Mr. Enzi’s older demographic was evenly split at 46 percent. The U.S. Senate seemed to think the same of Mr. Enzi’s legislation, with only Senators older than 50 voting for the scheme, according to Heritage Action.
Looked at another way, those in the “West,” including Wyoming, overwhelming opposed such a law by 16 percentage points (41 percent for, 57 percent against).
And yet Mr. Enzi is still the leading advocate for a new Internet tax.
Liz Cheney has said that it is time for a new generation of Republican leaders in Washington and the evidence seems to support her. Rather than believing that what can be done should be done, we need people who are doing what should be done because it is right. And leading an attack on the Constitution by ignoring the Due Process Clause that leads to new taxes on Internet sales is not the right thing.
Virtually all other arguments are moot, as Mr. Enzi and others might also be if they work against the Constitution, as well as against the desire of national and Wyoming voters.