Nikki Haley Cannot Save Us, Revisited
I share my view of the former UN Ambassador with readers of the New York Times
If you’ve been here for a while, you probably read my late-November post about Nikki Haley. It was titled “Nikki Haley Cannot Save Us.” What she couldn’t save us from is former president Donald Trump becoming the GOP nominee in 2024. That remains my view, and the New York Times asked me to make the case for their readers in the form of an op-ed. That’s running today under the title, “Even If Nikki Haley Shocks Trump in New Hampshire, It Won’t Matter.” Here is a gift link for all of you, in case you’d like to read it.
I will be honest and say that this is a rare time when I feel like I’m arguing entirely with phantoms of my own imagination. Does anyone think Haley can beat Trump? Does even Haley herself believe it? I doubt it. (I assume the people in charge of funding priorities for the Koch network—Americans for Prosperity Action—must believe it. Why else throw millions of dollars at her campaign? But if that’s true, it’s a sign that the organization’s leadership is getting bad advice.) So writing this piece felt a little strange.
I convinced myself the effort was worth it because the evidence I adduce to show that Haley is out of step with her party isn’t as widely recognized as it should be. I mean, it’s understood among smart political analysts and informed readers. But that doesn’t describe everyone who reads or reacts to the Times. So maybe a few people might learn something from the op-ed.
In any event, here, once again, is the gift link to the piece.
Throwing towels into boxing rings before the fight?
Remember when professionals and fans predicted Sonny Liston was invincible?
In Iowa, a majority of registered Republicans voted against the 45th by staying at home. Only his Iowa cult turned out.
The indicted former 45th president is wounded. He is not invincible.
Nikki is trying. She is a woman with guts.
http://johnadamsingram.substack.com
No, Nikki Haley won't save us. But she may become the 5% backfill, the person the Party selects should Trump die, be convicted and plunging in the polls, disqualified, or show an even more disturbing cognitive spiral.
I think, though I'm not sure, that the Republican Party is not limited to the nominal running mate, they can pick who they want.
Normally this is not worth bothering abut, it is more like the 0.5% backfill. In this as in so many other ways Trump is different.