Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
From everything I've seen of Nikki Haley, she's wonderful. She's obviously a talented politician with all the right instincts. I'm delighted she was elected. She looks to me like everything admirable about America. I have nothing but good things to say about her, which is exactly why I'm appalled to read this in National Review: "With her wide smile, Sikh-American heritage, southern charm, and conservative values, she has been cited in Beltway circles as a potential 2012 vice-presidential pick."
Which Beltway circles? Are they out of their minds? She's 38 years old, and she is the governor-elect, not even the governor yet, of South Carolina. No matter what miracles she performs in the coming year, she will not be qualified to run for vice-president. Have we learned nothing? Nominating her would be no favor to her, no favor to the GOP, no favor to the country. Please, for the love of God, let this talented woman get some experience.
She, at least, seems to have the good sense to find that idea as ridiculous as it is.
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Jul '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
As we strive to persevere the deprivations under the regime, Washington whispers of tyros for top office has gone from amusing silliness to galling provocation.
Who governs us and how has a vital impact, literally, on our lives. Passing such nonsense on approvingly deserves nothing but contempt. Is there no candidate with a resume? Is the GOP so brutally devoid of quality that NR is trolling nursery schools for national candidates?
Will 20% unemployment convince them? 30%? A strategic nuclear exchange?
Oct '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
I agree Claire. I've heard it said that 2012 is the year of the boring white guy so you'd think going with the traditional Republican nominee would be easy. So, now you're going to have to tell us who you'd like? At least to make a run for the nomination. What do you think about Newt Gingrich?
Oct '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
Maybe she should respond like Harry Truman: upon hearing that Roosevelt wanted to nominate him for Vice President in 1944, Truman said, "Tell him to go to hell: I'm for Jimmy Byrnes!"
Oct '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
Claire, I totally agree. We need somebody well vetted, tested and seasoned. As the difference between, say, Reagan and Obama has proven, there's infinitely more to governing than winning a campaign.
May '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
There is so much long term talent in the Republican Party. It's one small reason for optimism. One has to wonder who will rise up in the short term though. Not Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal, Paul Ryan, or Nicki Haley. I want to know who it will be.
Jul '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
Personally, I am appalled not only by this suggestion about Haley, but by similar enthusiasms for Bobby Jindal or Marco Rubio. It seems like cynical racial political calculation to me.
Oh, look! We have our own Republican black or brown stars now! Might be a little, um, early, but wouldn't it be great to have a "diverse" ticket to show those not-so-bright black or brown voters that we aren't racists?
By all means, if black or brown Republican politicians prove themselves in the fullness of time, I'd be happy to support them for higher office. But to promote them like this is rank pandering.
Same goes for Chris Christie, by the way. I'm all for a fat President, but let the guy show us his stuff, first.
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
Kenneth: Personally, I am appalled not only by this suggestion about Haley, but by similar enthusiasms for Bobby Jindal or Marco Rubio. It seems like cynical racial political calculation to me.
Oh, look! We have our own Republican black or brown stars now! Might be a little, um, early, but wouldn't it be great to have a "diverse" ticket to show those not-so-bright black or brown voters that we aren't racists?
By all means, if black or brown Republican politicians prove themselves in the fullness of time, I'd be happy to support them for higher office. But to promote them like this is rank pandering.
Same goes for Chris Christie, by the way. I'm all for a fat President, but let the guy show us his stuff, first. · Dec 4 at 9:35am
Exactly, and your last line's great. Wish I'd thought of it.
Jul '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
I agree, with qualifications. Absolutely the GOP should run an experienced ticket, it owes that to the country. But, from a pure electoral politics standpoint, it makes sense to run a tyro. Think about it, in 2008 I was sure the Dems wouldn't nominate some nobody who'd done nothing, but they did, and he won.
One of the reasons Captain Present won is because he had zip for a record to criticize, another is because the independents who decide our elections didn't get a chance to be bored with him.
May '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
Claire, yep! Kenneth, yep!
Jul '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
Palaeologus, even the lefty media has been heard to wonder aloud in candid moments about this guy's qualifications. Everybody knows somebody out of work. The regime has an aspect to alarm everyone:
He is currently down to just core support despite all the efforts of the lefty press, the people who only vote based on skin color and Lenin's useful idiots. The wave that brought him in was the financial collapse. Independents wanted to put a stop to the Republican crony capitalism. How did that work out?
And with only 2.5 years in office, Palin also belongs on our show-me list. Her whole media parade mitigates against. There are office holders slogging away for our families showing they can help. Pick them.
Edited on Dec 4, 2010 at 11:17amJul '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
I'm not sure who I think it should be--and likely won't be until we actually a nominee and see what kind of running mate they need--but I don't think Nikki Haley will be a serious contender on anyone's list, not as much because of her lack of experience but because...South Carolina is voting Republican no matter what and it would be a wasted opportunity not to go after an actual swing state. Susana Martinez, however...is someone I expect to be on everyone's list. Especially Palin's.
May '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
I have high hopes for Haley's administration here in South Carolina. The tone of Claire's post and everyone's comments are right on the money, though. All this breathless theorizing about her future is premature. Let's give her some space to win some and lose some - be realistic. I think she has definite promise, talent, and potential. Still, her public service to date consists of a few terms in the South Carolina House representing part of Lexington County. She didn't have much of a leadership role so, while her campaign themes were on target, she just hasn't had the chance to develop a concrete personality. She will, but it hasn't happened yet. Also, the South Carolina executive is pathetically weak under our constitution, which will limit her ability to control the political agenda. She doesn't have the advantages Chris Christie enjoys with the strong NJ governorship.
Step back, give her some breathing room, and check back when the SC primary is approaching. If she plays everything well, her endorsement will be a valuable prize in the 2012 GOP race. We won't know that for a good bit, though.
May '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
I agree, but let's at least acknowledge that Haley, Jindal and Rubio are not asking folks to trade on their ethnicity. Especially Rubio, who explicitly wove his background into the overall American narrative (very skillfully, I might add).
Actually, I should probably ask this first: Do you think Haley, Jindal and Rubio are pushing their ethnicity?
Jul '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
Sisyphus, politicians dissemble, as a matter of course. What's that line Mike Kingsley coined? A gaffe in politics occurs when a politician accidentally tells the truth, I believe.
At any rate, whether by euphemism, intentionally misunderstanding questions and answering different ones, or designed incomprehensibility, pols constantly hide their beliefs. To do otherwise would cost them votes.
Journalists and oppo research constantly try to shine a light on this practice. Thus attempting to "define" the politician. Having no record to speak of makes this task much harder.
All that said, the presidency is important. Electoral gamesmanship shouldn't trump good sense. I don't want any untried pups on the GOP ticket, either.
Oct '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
Preach it. The worst thing the Republicans can do to Governor Haley and their own party is to not let her develop in her present role. Let her get some experience under her belt and see how she does. If she's very good, forget about a VP slot, she could run for the top job or a Senate seat. Why waste talent on a nigh-meaningless VP position?
The GOP has some new and promising people in state and federal positions. The party should let nature take its course and see how well these people do with their current tasks before pointing them at the White House.
America doesn't need anymore Obama and Palin types who translate a minimal amount of experience and a lot of charisma into influential political roles well beyond their capabilities. At least Palin didn't get elected into a position of power like President of the United States. Obama did and we're paying dearly for it.
Aug '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
I like to think that we Republicans, understanding that we are (in Steyn's phrase) freeborn citizens of a constitutional republic, don't "do" personality cults, especially racially based ones. That is the sickness of the left, and should be treated with leeches, not imitated.
FDR and Reagan earned the adulation of millions of Americans, but only after they had accomplished great things in office. One Barack Obama is enough; let's not turn Nikki Haley or Marco Rubio into the same sort of political mascot.
Jul '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
Dear GOP:
Gov.-elect Nimrata is ours. You can't have her, not yet anyway.
Love,
South Carolina
P.S. I gather the folks in NJ will tell you likewise.
Oct '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
Wylee Coyote: Dear GOP:
Gov.-elect Nimrata is ours. You can't have her, not yet anyway.
Love,
South Carolina
P.S. I gather the folks in NJ will tell you likewise. · Dec 4 at 1:51pm
Yes. Yes, we will. He's ours. You can't have him. Get your own.
Remember that we're New Jersey. You've watched the Sopranos. Do you really want to mess with us?
Edited on Dec 4, 2010 at 5:12pmAug '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
I resent the implication that affection for Bobby Jindal is rooted in anything other than his stellar qualifications. He is an experienced politician who has served in bureaucratic and executive positions with distinction.
That said, I would like him to serve two-terms as Governor of Louisiana for two reasons. First, Louisiana has benefited greatly from his leadership and I'd like to see the state continue on a path of success. Second, the more experience that Jindal acquires, the better a candidate he becomes.
Nov '10
Re: Don't Do This To Nikki Haley
It seems like the run up to 2012 is going to a difficult season for many of us. The choices seem weighted toward exciting prospects or veterans that carry a lot (too much) of baggage. I find my self wondering how to make it through to 2016 when we'll have a better grasp on the mettle of Haley, et al. And they will have some more serious experience as executives in the political arena.
Honestly, is there anyone that really excites you about a possible run because you believe they are truly ready to be president?