Last month, Nikki Haley announced she is running for President. Haley is someone who has consistently proven doubters wrong: she was the first female governor of South Carolina, she has never lost a race, she’s self-made, and she survived as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations during a turbulent, chaotic Trump White House without so much as a scrape.
For the latter, some see her as a savvy, smart player of politics. Others see her as having dodged an important question, as she allied herself with Trump enough to stay in his good graces, but also stayed away from him just enough to appease his critics.
Her position on Trump is just one of many challenges that Haley will have to face in the Republican primaries. The other big issue is that in a post-Trump political landscape, can Haley’s oldschool Republican worldview resonate with the base of the party, which is increasingly isolationist and populist? On the flip side, perhaps Haley can be a breath of fresh air for the Republican party: a normal candidate who – as the Midterms seemed to prove – voters are more than ready to support.
On today’s show, a conversation with Nikki Haley about why she’s running for president, who the Haley constituency is, how she responds to her fiercest critics (Don Lemon, we’re looking at you), her vision for the future of the country, and why she thinks she has what it takes to be the next President of the United States.
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Very hard not to be impressed by Haley. So much sharper than the vast majority of politicians working today. Didn't dodge many questions, had a strong story to tell, showed sincere heartfelt love for the nation—the whole nation—displayed unwavering confidence but not to the point of arrogance, and surprised me with her humor. That line about "hold my beer" while I raise $25k selling coozies was brilliant. I loved how she swatted away the implicit Michelle Obama comparison: "They go low, we ignore them." I have been waiting for a Gen-X leader to rise and have been generally disappointed with what my generation has produced so far (Seinfeld voice: "Hello, Newsom"). But Haley might be the one. I hope the machine gives her a chance.
P.S. I'm one of those long-time California Democrats turned independent and politically homeless, sickened so much I am by the direction taken by both major parties. I had hoped Biden would get the Dems back on track, but he has driven the train like he was carrying a hazardous load through Ohio. I have never placed any faith in the GOP, and having an "R" next to her name will always make me at least a little reluctant to join Team Haley. But she may be the one to actually put the adults back in charge.
Great interview. On her own, Nikki Haley gives me hope, especially since she is the first woman of substance I can stand with fully. It's about time. I just hope the party and the patriarchy don't get in her way. It's time to stand up.