Post # 261, Bob McKnight's Florida Commentary
Governor Haley, people have memories and that includes remembering contradictions.
In politics, it is not unusual for mistakes to be forgotten over time. In 1963, former Vice President Richard Nixon lost the race for Governor of California to Democrat Pat Brown. This is after Nixon had lost the close election against President John Kennedy in 1960. Nixon was so deflated in 1963, that he said, "Well, you guys in the press won't have Nixon to kick around anymore." Five years later, Nixon changed his mind, ran for President, and won. So it is not unusual for politicians to assume many people will forget their speaking mistakes.
Perhaps that is why South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R.) does not seem concerned when she said she would never run against former President Donald Trump. She had previously said she can handle bullies like Donald Trump. Huh? This contradiction can often be attributed to historically short memories by the electorate. This was not the governor's only contradiction over her political career:
In 2016, she endorsed Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio for President and made light of Donald Trump's refusal to disavow the Ku Klux Klan.
After he was elected President in 2016, Trump appointed Haley as the high-profile Ambassador of the United Nations.
She had a reputation as a moderate to a progressive politician in conservative South Carolina, emphasizing her minority status as an Indian woman of color. Trump often makes light of people of color.
When the white supremacist shot up a predominately African American Church in her state, the governor used the opportunity to remove the Confederate Flag from the state. Trump favors keeping the Confederate Flag.
At the same time, her boss Donald Trump was saying "there were fine people on both sides" of the Civil War after another killing of African Americans in Charlottesville, Virginia. The governor, then the UN Ambassador said nothing about the incident.
In her book "With All Due Respect," Haley mentioned Trump in a positive vein 163 times.
So Governor, which is it?
She is not the only probable candidate that says she is both for and against the same thing. Former Republican Vice President Pence has already done the same thing about running against Trump, as has Republican former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. The same applies to Republican Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. Both former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden on the Democratic side have also done the same thing, but perhaps not as often and blatantly.
Some may question whether the Haley announcement is another Trump trick to use her as a Trojan Horse that will withdraw when Trump is ready for the nomination. Both Trump and Haley have lied, so it is not out of the question.
This is a difficult post to end with a recommendation. Perhaps my suggestion is to be diligent in following what the candidates say and, more importantly, put it in writing. Where there are contradictions and they reoccur, challenge the candidates in any way you can--attending a campaign event and questioning the candidates in person, writing their campaign and even discussing it with your friends supporting the candidate in question.
Candidates who speak the truth consistently should be applauded and given every consideration for your support.
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