Really? No Republican deserves our vote because that party has undermined democracy by not speaking out against Trump. Haley will be as extreme as the party base needs her to be. Add me to your disappointed list of readers.
Respectfully, I think you've been charmed, Chuck, and not in a good way. You like her quote, "Strong girls become strong women and strong women become strong leaders." Strong leaders -- women and men -- will speak out and stand against the attempted overthrow of our democracy on January 6, 2021. Nikki attempt to dance around this. It's not a rightly or wrongly issue. Strong leaders can say slavery was the cause of the Civil War. Nikki says she had black friends. Strong leaders who claim to be pro-life will push for sensible gun control legislation to address the madness of our children being shot dead because they showed up for school. Nikki does not. Strong leaders who claim to be pro-life care about pregnant women who are at risk of losing their lives or their fertility because of any number of medical issues that can arise during pregnancy. Nikki punts on this one while campaigning for the presidency. That you, David Yepsen and others believe she'll do better than expected in Iowa does not mean she's different from the rest of the GOP field in her extremist views. The moderates in the party have left. I appreciate the space to comment.
It seems to me that living in Iowa and being bombarded with Republican candidate ads, speeches, town halls, etc., not to mention the fact that Iowan’s live in a virtual state wide echo chamber, would tend to shape a view that Haley is a logical choice.
The political equivalent of the Stockholm syndrome.
If this was 1977, Chuck would be decrying Haley’s extreme positions. Republicans have moved so far right, that she seems reasonable. She is not. Orwell lives.
I’m not interested in anyone who pledges to pardon Trump for all he did against this country. If this eight years is proof of anything, any “decent Republicans” we used to have are either dead, retired, or have changed for the worse. It might not be nice to think that, but there have been many not nice things about the past eight years.
Whatever her qualifications she spent two years working for the most corrupt president in history and still says "He was the right person for the right time." As for her chances, she polls very well against Pres. Biden but that assumes that Trump would support her if he loses the nomination. I would suggest that he would claim the nomination was stolen and the MAGA people would either stay home or try a third party effort. Trump would likely form a third party because the worst that could happen for him would be he would get a lot of money in contributions and he likes that. I don't see her becoming president but given a choice I would pick an aging but successful leader like Biden over any of the Republican hopefuls.
Hi Chuck, I read your column early this morning, and have been pondering it ever since. I am so surprised by your endorsement. Nikki Haley has an untenable position on women’s reproductive rights. Like so many others I’ve read, she seems to think basing her policy decision for everyone else on her own experience, is acceptable. Because her husband was adopted, and she is grateful, this has influenced her to be pro life”, she says. She seems to believe her own life experience gives her the wisdom to make a law for all women. No. Trust women to make their own decisions.
This is just one issue of many, but it is a vital one. I guess I am just surprised that what I know about Nikki Haley’s policy decisions and plans for our country (climate, Medicaid, Medicare, education, childcare) match up with yours. This doesn’t mean I want to stop reading you or that you’ve “lost” me. It means we disagree. That’s acceptable. 😊
A poll released Thursday shows former Ambassador Haley gaining on her former boss in New Hampshire. She was down 49-18 and that has narrowed to 44-28. Doesn't sound like a big deal on its face, but if Haley continues on that arc and gets within shouting distance, South Carolina may be critical. Haley could go down in flames if voters who supported Trump there last two elections hold a grudge against her for taking the Confederate battle flag down off the state capitol when she was governor; her foes could paint her as a princess of woke culture. However, South Carolina is an open primary. According to the South Carolina Election Commission website, "S.C. does not have registration by party. The Presidential Primaries are open to all registered S.C. voters." If Haley can command a large crossover vote the outcome could be very interesting. Of course, her opposition will claim she cheated and try to punish her for disloyalty.
This is the Age of Trump. Government is by omerta and vendetta, rules are for suckers and nice guys finish last -- and make no mistake, Trump's world is a guy's world. In schoolyard terms, Trump doesn't like being shown up by a girl -- whether it's his first wife, Secretary Clinton or Ambassador Haley. The question -- and it's a very huge question -- is whether the ambassador is willing to go full "Sammy the Bull" on her old boss and, in so doing, pull in anti-Trump, anti-insurrection primary support from the other side, like Jim Clyburn. She's advertising herself as the one most capable of beating President Biden, but the fact is she has to beat Trump first. Roadblocking the MAGA bandwagon in the Palmetto State may not be a knockout punch, but a body blow that shows the new Teflon Don a tad vulnerable. Small victories lead to bigger ones. If Haley can prove herself a winner, well, as George C. Scott said as Patton, Americans love a winner. Just depends on how much the ambassador wants to win -- and is willing to roll the dice and risk being made political roadkill by the MAGA machine to seek and secure a broader base of support.
No, no, no. And a thousand more no's to this notion of switching parties to vote for Haley. She is a wolf in sheep's clothing. We are in danger of losing our democracy. This is no time to switch parties, even at the Caucus level. It is a time to bind ourselves together as Democrats and support the only candidate who can save us from MAGA maniacs, a dictator wannabe and the most dangerous man our country has ever faced politically. Joe Biden needs our grassroots support. I really hope you will rethink your position.
Can only hope you are right, Charles. I, too, will be casting a secret ballot.
Quite a stir within the silo today, unusual for these Collaborative Substacks, but beating wings promote fresh air so maybe we will see more in the future. Thank you for your contribution!
Sorry but she has apologized and covered for the extreme wings of her party for far too long. Much as have our two Senators. Certainly President Biden could have groomed a successor to hold the center, and that he has not is quite frightening. But electing N Haley would be a horrible mistake. Do you really want rule by the Koch Brothers?
Respectfully, I am tired of hearing we need a “strong” woman or man, a “fighter”, etc. Why not someone intelligent, compassionate, and inspiring? Someone who calls us to listen to our better angels, collaborate, and serve our fellow human beings? Someone like JFK? Why did we settle for the lackluster field of candidates we’ve had the last 2 election cycles?
Really? No Republican deserves our vote because that party has undermined democracy by not speaking out against Trump. Haley will be as extreme as the party base needs her to be. Add me to your disappointed list of readers.
If you think she won’t go along with the hard right and ban abortions nationally, you have not been paying attention.
Haley is consistent with one thing. Going along with what is best for Haley.
Sorry Chuck. You have lost me.
Respectfully, I think you've been charmed, Chuck, and not in a good way. You like her quote, "Strong girls become strong women and strong women become strong leaders." Strong leaders -- women and men -- will speak out and stand against the attempted overthrow of our democracy on January 6, 2021. Nikki attempt to dance around this. It's not a rightly or wrongly issue. Strong leaders can say slavery was the cause of the Civil War. Nikki says she had black friends. Strong leaders who claim to be pro-life will push for sensible gun control legislation to address the madness of our children being shot dead because they showed up for school. Nikki does not. Strong leaders who claim to be pro-life care about pregnant women who are at risk of losing their lives or their fertility because of any number of medical issues that can arise during pregnancy. Nikki punts on this one while campaigning for the presidency. That you, David Yepsen and others believe she'll do better than expected in Iowa does not mean she's different from the rest of the GOP field in her extremist views. The moderates in the party have left. I appreciate the space to comment.
It seems to me that living in Iowa and being bombarded with Republican candidate ads, speeches, town halls, etc., not to mention the fact that Iowan’s live in a virtual state wide echo chamber, would tend to shape a view that Haley is a logical choice.
The political equivalent of the Stockholm syndrome.
If this was 1977, Chuck would be decrying Haley’s extreme positions. Republicans have moved so far right, that she seems reasonable. She is not. Orwell lives.
I’m not interested in anyone who pledges to pardon Trump for all he did against this country. If this eight years is proof of anything, any “decent Republicans” we used to have are either dead, retired, or have changed for the worse. It might not be nice to think that, but there have been many not nice things about the past eight years.
Whatever her qualifications she spent two years working for the most corrupt president in history and still says "He was the right person for the right time." As for her chances, she polls very well against Pres. Biden but that assumes that Trump would support her if he loses the nomination. I would suggest that he would claim the nomination was stolen and the MAGA people would either stay home or try a third party effort. Trump would likely form a third party because the worst that could happen for him would be he would get a lot of money in contributions and he likes that. I don't see her becoming president but given a choice I would pick an aging but successful leader like Biden over any of the Republican hopefuls.
Hi Chuck, I read your column early this morning, and have been pondering it ever since. I am so surprised by your endorsement. Nikki Haley has an untenable position on women’s reproductive rights. Like so many others I’ve read, she seems to think basing her policy decision for everyone else on her own experience, is acceptable. Because her husband was adopted, and she is grateful, this has influenced her to be pro life”, she says. She seems to believe her own life experience gives her the wisdom to make a law for all women. No. Trust women to make their own decisions.
This is just one issue of many, but it is a vital one. I guess I am just surprised that what I know about Nikki Haley’s policy decisions and plans for our country (climate, Medicaid, Medicare, education, childcare) match up with yours. This doesn’t mean I want to stop reading you or that you’ve “lost” me. It means we disagree. That’s acceptable. 😊
A poll released Thursday shows former Ambassador Haley gaining on her former boss in New Hampshire. She was down 49-18 and that has narrowed to 44-28. Doesn't sound like a big deal on its face, but if Haley continues on that arc and gets within shouting distance, South Carolina may be critical. Haley could go down in flames if voters who supported Trump there last two elections hold a grudge against her for taking the Confederate battle flag down off the state capitol when she was governor; her foes could paint her as a princess of woke culture. However, South Carolina is an open primary. According to the South Carolina Election Commission website, "S.C. does not have registration by party. The Presidential Primaries are open to all registered S.C. voters." If Haley can command a large crossover vote the outcome could be very interesting. Of course, her opposition will claim she cheated and try to punish her for disloyalty.
This is the Age of Trump. Government is by omerta and vendetta, rules are for suckers and nice guys finish last -- and make no mistake, Trump's world is a guy's world. In schoolyard terms, Trump doesn't like being shown up by a girl -- whether it's his first wife, Secretary Clinton or Ambassador Haley. The question -- and it's a very huge question -- is whether the ambassador is willing to go full "Sammy the Bull" on her old boss and, in so doing, pull in anti-Trump, anti-insurrection primary support from the other side, like Jim Clyburn. She's advertising herself as the one most capable of beating President Biden, but the fact is she has to beat Trump first. Roadblocking the MAGA bandwagon in the Palmetto State may not be a knockout punch, but a body blow that shows the new Teflon Don a tad vulnerable. Small victories lead to bigger ones. If Haley can prove herself a winner, well, as George C. Scott said as Patton, Americans love a winner. Just depends on how much the ambassador wants to win -- and is willing to roll the dice and risk being made political roadkill by the MAGA machine to seek and secure a broader base of support.
No, no, no. And a thousand more no's to this notion of switching parties to vote for Haley. She is a wolf in sheep's clothing. We are in danger of losing our democracy. This is no time to switch parties, even at the Caucus level. It is a time to bind ourselves together as Democrats and support the only candidate who can save us from MAGA maniacs, a dictator wannabe and the most dangerous man our country has ever faced politically. Joe Biden needs our grassroots support. I really hope you will rethink your position.
This is a sick joke of a puff piece about someone who doesn't deserve it.
Extremely disappointed to read this column. You’ve lost me, too. Ugh.
Compared to the Republican alternatives at the moment, Haley is a cross between Gandhi and Lincoln. Her biggest asset is she’s not Donald Trump.
Can only hope you are right, Charles. I, too, will be casting a secret ballot.
Quite a stir within the silo today, unusual for these Collaborative Substacks, but beating wings promote fresh air so maybe we will see more in the future. Thank you for your contribution!
"Ride [write] on!"--so saith Kaul.
Gotta' go--busy gifting subscriptions. . . . .
Sorry but she has apologized and covered for the extreme wings of her party for far too long. Much as have our two Senators. Certainly President Biden could have groomed a successor to hold the center, and that he has not is quite frightening. But electing N Haley would be a horrible mistake. Do you really want rule by the Koch Brothers?
Respectfully, I am tired of hearing we need a “strong” woman or man, a “fighter”, etc. Why not someone intelligent, compassionate, and inspiring? Someone who calls us to listen to our better angels, collaborate, and serve our fellow human beings? Someone like JFK? Why did we settle for the lackluster field of candidates we’ve had the last 2 election cycles?
I thought I liked you, Chuck. Had no idea you took a leap and then have willfully cannonballed into the abyss of right wing soup.