What Did You Think of Nikki Haley’s Speech?

Fred Cole
Fred Cole Inactive
9233
 

I just finished watching Nikki Haley’s speech this afternoon about removing the flag from the statehouse grounds.  You can watch the video of it below. It’s about nine minutes or so, including applause breaks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msmy-KAD6S4

I don’t usually watch political speeches. I don’t watch news shows. I don’t watch the news. For me, it’s all words on a screen and still pictures. So — while I’ve heard and seen Haley speak before — I don’t think it’s been more than a couple of times.

I’m also always pretty skeptical of politicians, what they do, what they say. One of the reasons that I don’t watch political speeches is that you can usually tell a politicians is lying simply because his lips are moving. I’m about as cynical as you can get when it comes to politicians, and consider almost all of them guilty until proven innocent.

That being said, I thought Haley knocked this one out of the park. The tone and delivery were perfect. This is an emotional and intense issue for both side in South Carolina, and she walked the line of respecting both points of view while taking the position she did. The speech writing and delivery were perfect in every way.

But that’s just me. I invite you to watch the speech. And please watch the whole thing. It was worth my nine minutes and it’ll be worth yours. And what do you think about how Haley did?

Published in Politics

There are 92 comments

  1. user_2505
    user_2505
    @GaryMcVey

    Fred, I agree that she did about as good a job as was possible, in a tough and emotionally charged situation.

    I have a bias, of course, since I also agree about the substance. We have a German-American club in Santa Monica; many of its oldest members emigrated after the war. I doubt most were older than 25 when the war ended, and most are long gone by now, but their kids, especially their sons, kept the clubhouse and the mailing list going. I’d suppose they love their departed fathers, honored their bravery, but knew they fought in a deeply evil cause.

    They’ve never had the slightest trouble with their (many!) Jewish neighbors. But then again, the GA club doesn’t fly the Nazi swastika on a flagpole outside the clubhouse.

    • #1
  2. AUMom
    AUMom
    @AUMom

    Those of us who live in SC have had a week. The folks who live in Charleston are even more shell-shocked. Gov. Haley did an excellent job of understanding the grated nerves of both sides of the issue.

    It’s true that the members of Emanuel AME Church and the surrounding area have shown extraordinary grace and courage with the CSA flag flying. But its symbol of hate supersedes its historical significance on the grounds of the State House. I wish it could come down before Senator Pinckney lies in state there.

    Senator Pinckney almost certainly is the descendant of slaves. The Pinckney family represented South Carolina in the Continental Congress. They were some of the most confirmed proponents of slavery.

    • #2
  3. user_82762
    user_82762
    @JamesGawron

    Fred,

    I think she did what she had to do and no more. However, not only because of what she said but because of who she is, South Carolina is lucky tonight. I wouldn’t exactly call this making lemonaide out of lemons. This is bitter stuff no matter what. Haley has the talent, one hopes, to get them through it. We’ll see.

    Her comments especially about those outside the state are most important. The President, First Lady, and VP are going to attend the funeral. The President is expected to actually deliver the eulogy. He is no healer. He has demonstrated for 6 years that he is incapable of bringing anyone together. On the contrary the maxim of his first chief of staff continues as the administration’s guide “..never let a crisis go to waste”.

    We’ll see.

    Regards,

    Jim

    • #3
  4. Mark
    Mark
    @GumbyMark

    Like you I don’t usually watch political speeches but on your recommendation I watched the whole thing.  Thought the Governor did an excellent job.  The manner in which she did it, focusing on the positive side of the state and not attacking people, will probably maximize political suppport for the move.  If it’s a big deal for you and you are opposed it probably won’t change your mind but it should be effective for many people for whom it’s not a big thing one way or the other.

    • #4
  5. user_280840
    user_280840
    @FredCole
    Post Author

    Mark:If it’s a big deal for you and you are opposed it probably won’t change your mind but it should be effective for many people for whom it’s not a big thing one way or the other.

    Yeah, and anybody who opposed it would at least feel respected.

    There’s a word for what she did.  It gets thrown around improperly and far too often.  But I think she did it here.  That word is “statesmanship.”

    • #5

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