I am at the start of a month long trip to Mexico right now (in fact I saw a few Jordan students in airport at 5 a.m. on the morning I left), so I may be a little slow to respond to emails or post. But, that's no reason to ignore U.S. politics! Read a little about SC governor Nikki Haley here. What do you think makes her an appealing choice as a leader of the Republican party? Looking ahead to the 2012 election, what kind of candidate do you think the Republicans will need to choose in order to try and defeat Obama?
Happy early Fourth of July!
Nikki Haley will most likely be on the Republican ticket for the 2016 election as the vice-presidential candidate, if not the presidential one. She seems like the natural political candidate for this day and age. She is popular, young, technology-savvy, and a woman, all of which help her get the younger votes. She is a modern-day politician, something the Republicans have in short supply right now. I believe another reason she is so appealing is that she declined to run for vice president. I feel this shows that she believes her position as governor of South Carolina isn't just a stepping stone to something better; she actually cares about helping the state and its people. I think Governor Haley would be a good choice as a candidate in the 2012 election, but she declined to run. If the Republicans want to win, they should choose a moderate Republican as their candidate. If they nominate a Tea-Party candidate, they might win, but they would probably destroy all the work Obama has done to help the economy. The Republicans need someone different, not some old, white, Christian man, and they need someone who only caters to the extreme right. That said, whoever they choose, they will have a hard time beating Obama.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes Nikki Haley such an appealing choice as a leader of he Republican Party is that she hasn't done or said anything on the national stage that makes you want to scratch your head. Other young members have done the opposite of Nikki Haley has done. Members such as Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann have said things that makes you wonder whether they are fit to run the country especially in its darkest hour. As for this upcoming election, I agree with Kevin C. that the Republicans need someone that isn't some white, old Christian man. They need some who is more moderate and not ultra- conservative. With all this being said it is going to be hard for the Republicans to find a candidate that fits this criteria.
ReplyDeleteSeyi G.
Nikki Haley is such a good choice as a Republican candidate in future elections because, unlike most other republicans on the current bill, she hasn't done anything idiotic. Another reasons Ms. Haley is appealing is that she appeals to younger people, unlike the last candidate, John McCain, the new voters are more likely to be able to relate to her. This is an important quality to have because the current President used some of these same demographics to secure his position. If the Republicans want to stand a chance of defeating President Obama, they will absolutely need a candidate who can appeal to younger crowds. Another demographic Haley has a grip on is conservatives, true to the Republican party. With the combination of her youth, lack of mistakes, popularity and get-it-done attitude, she is sure to be a force in upcoming elections.
ReplyDeleteChristian P.
Republicans know that to win, they need to appeal to not only conservatives, but they also need to convince young liberals to vote republican. Nikki Haley is the perfect mix because she has conservative views, but she also has some of the same role models and musical tastes that a young voter would. She is much better at relating to young people than an old conservative man would be. People love her because she is energetic and she stays positive. She knows how to say what people want to hear. She lets the republicans know that she has conservative views, and she lets the young people know that she’s a lot like them. She is up-to-date on popular music, she knows how to use technology, and she has cool, edgy role models. After a long line of the same politicians— old, white, Christian, conservative men– Nikki Haley is a breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteKareena Gardner
Judging from the last election, it is clear that what Americans want now is someone different and relatable. As the others have said, the typical old, white, Christian man is not going to cut it anymore, no matter how qualified he is otherwise. Also, with so many Americans being influenced by political ads alone due to being too lazy to actually research the candidates, one of the biggest factors now in who will be elected as president is their image - as much of it as can be shown in an ad. Elections have become mainly a competition of marketing. I believe some of the most important factors in Obama's winning the last election are also shared by Governor Haley - charisma, youth, and Haley's "get excited" could be compared to Obama's "yes we can." I agree with Kareena and Christian; if the Republicans want to stand a chance of winning against Obama, they need to get the young voters on their side, and Nikki Haley is the one to do it.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Christian, Kareena, and Bonnie when they say that to win, the Republicans need to interest the younger people. It is no secret that hardly any people below the age of 28 or so vote. The plurality group of voters are without a doubt the elderly. So really, the youth vote doesn't count for anything. Besides, today's youth are strongly democratic, so it's fair to say that the youth vote is firmly in Obama's pockets. The only thing Haley has going for her is the fact that she is female. This could possibly secure many moderate women in her vote. I wasn't kidding when I said that was the only thing she had going for her. There is nothing that she has that Obama doesn't. Let's be honest. We all say that the Republicans need someone fresh and new if they are going to win, because, well, that's what other people say, and it is rather cliché at this point. Is there any evidence that points to the conclusion that younger candidates do better in elections? Probably not. So is Nikki Haley going to make it as a front-runner? No. Republicans do not need something different when it comes to demographics. 23 of the last 38 presidential elections have been won by a Republican candidate. How? By putting forth wealthy, white, aged, Christian men. It has worked 61% of the time since 1856, and that trend will probably continue as long as old, white, Christian men are labeled as conservative.
ReplyDeleteNikki Haley is young, technologically savvy, experienced as a legislator and executive, and is a woman, all of which make her an appealing candidate for a Republican presidential or vice-presidential nominee. However, she is overly ambitious, deeply conservative, and very similar to Republican Party leaders Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann. Her similarities with more well-known contenders will make it difficult for her to win the Republican presidential nomination. Even more, many of Haley’s attempts to rein in South Carolina’s spending are going unheeded and most of her vetoes on South Carolina’s budget proposal are being overridden. If she can’t control and work with a General Assembly of which over 60% of its members are Republican, how will she be able to cope with a Congress that might not even be 50% Republican? What the GOP needs for the upcoming election is someone who is middle-aged, white, Christian, and either moderately conservative to try to persuade independent and unsure voters or overly conservative to attract Tea Party voters and to avoid a potential split within the party. A female candidate may be advantageous in gaining female votes, but probably won’t make much of a difference. I agree with Sam when he says that Obama has the youth vote. What the GOP needs to focus on is attracting independents, moderates, and women while satisfying traditional voters and the Tea Party.
ReplyDelete-Ben C.
Nikki Haley’s adversarial attitude towards “mainstream politics” and Democratic leadership is an important contributing factor in her appeal to the Republican Party. Although she lacks experience, her strong conservative views, such as limited support for Medicaid, aid Governor Haley in attracting support especially from members of the Tea Party. Her candid expression of opinion and capability to motivate citizens through technologically savvy media makes her a leader in the Republican Party in terms of campaign strategy and developing relationships with voters. However, Governor Haley’s inability to compromise and failure to accept input from other officials prohibits her from being a successful candidate on the presidential ticket. Although Haley is able to energize voters, many constituents are wary of her ability to follow through on policy changes. The Republican Party requires not only a traditional candidate who is white, Christian, and middle-aged, but also a nominee with answers. Members of the Republican Party will generally vote for a Republican candidate over a Democrat regardless. Thus the only way to gain independent voters, who inevitably decide most elections, is to choose a candidate who has proposed workable solutions to America’s many crises.
ReplyDelete-Hannah R
I have to agree with a concept that Sam B. and Ben C. have mentioned: that Nikki Haley's youth is actually more likely a negative factor. The younger generation is both less likely to vote, and those that do vote are far more likely to vote for a democrat. Her persona is much like Sarah Palin's: she's a young woman with a go-get-'em attitude (evidenced by her "get excited" slogan), who seems to use more accessible, every day speech than your typical politician. While there are some that say this Sarah Palin/Michelle Bachmann approach is just what the Republican party needs, many also say that the addition of Sarah Palin to the Republican ticket in the 2008 election was ultimately detrimental for McCain's campaign. Also, Hannah R. makes an excellent point in that the way to sway on-the-fence voters is to have answers. Haley, in her youth, is less likely to have the experience necessary to create solutions and invoke the bipartisan support needed to enact her solutions. The best advice for the Republican party is to continue using their typical formula: a wealthy, white, aging, Christian man with conservative views. It has worked in the past, and there's no reason it won't continue working.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the people who point out that the young vote has a huge democratic majority and that for a conservative, it is not that important. Her refusal to follow government traditions hurts her ability to compromise, and therefore her ability to get things done. She is having a hard time getting what she wants as a governor with a majority of her party in the legislature, hinting that if she was a president, she might not be influential at all. What makes her appealing are the facts that she challenges conventions and has the type of personality that wants to get things done. Being a woman also helps her substantially. Her lack of slip-ups in front of cameras broadcasting nationally has not hurt her either, but due to her personality, I think that it is just a matter of time. Nikki’s fiscally conservative policies that the article mentions helps her win over much of the right wing, but it does not mention anything about her social policies.
ReplyDeleteIn order to beat Obama, the Republicans are going to need someone who is moderate, fiscally conservative, middle aged, good at speaking to the press, and a voice for change. Even then, beating Obama is going to be a long shot.
Nikki Haley is an appealing leader for the republican party because she has strong conservative views, is a powerful woman, and challenges democrats on their policies. Nikki Haley is determined to make the government better and loves to do things her own way. I also agree with Seyi that Nikki Haley is appealing because she seems to know what she is talking about and hasn't done anything to make the public think she is unfit to run the country.
ReplyDeleteIn 2012 Republicans will need to choose a republican candidate that is appealing to the traditional republican voters, the Tea Party and also to the Independents. I agree with Hannah that the best thing for the Republican party to do is choose a candidate that is similar to past winning candidates.
Nikki Haley is appealing as a Republican leader because she believes strongly in their views and is not afraid to challenge those who disagree with her. Nikki Haley makes her voice heard by others and takes advantage of her power in a good way. Nikki Haley may be appealing to the American people because she seems to know what she is talking about. She is also young which works for her and against her at the same time. She appeals more to the younger generation of voters but to the older generation, she may seem underqualified or not experienced enough. I think the Republican party need to choose a candidate that believes strongly in their views and is willing to fight for them but is also willing to compromise with the Democrats or else nothing will get passed in Washington.
ReplyDeleteNikki Haley is an exciting Republican candidate for many of the same reasons that Sarah Palin was. They both were relatively young women in the beginning of their political career when they became governor. This put new energy into their states political world causing them to gain national fame. However I believe that Nikki Haley is in a better position now than Sarah Palin ever was. Her immigrant roots and Indian heritage make her a true example of the American dream, and it also gives her a background that stands out from the average Republican. I believe that she made a wise decision in not running for national office in 2012. This will give her experience in how to run a government and not make idiotic remarks which often doom other tea party newcomers. What the GOP needs in 2012 is someone with solid conservative ideas that will energize the base and someone who is experienced and well spoken enough not to scare off independents.
ReplyDeleteNikki Haley's source of power is her energy; at just 39 she appears to have an abundance of liveliness that could shake up the White House in years to come. Just as many voters chose Obama over Mccain, Haley has the youthful spirit that many voters value more than experience. The fact that Haley is female could also provide extra attention on a future campaign, as well as add special appeal to female voters. When Haley's age, gender, and Native American roots are coupled together, she is suddenly an attractive choice for the independent voters who often decide the presidential election. I agree with Hannah and Rachel however, that the Republicans will need a candidate that mirrors Republican presidents of the past to defeat Barack Obama. Despite Haley's strong conservative stance, I think voters will seek a candidate who has vast experience to bring the nation back to normalcy. Had Haley possessed the following she has now, she might have had a chance in the 2008 election, though I think the "energy candidate" will not be a hot ticket in 2012.
ReplyDeleteNikki Haley’s relative youth and vitality are what make her appealing to voters, coupled with her ability to utilize new media while campaigning. Her determination to bring change to her state comes at a time when the nation is questioning its future, and Haley’s constituents doubtlessly saw electing her as a way to instigate new policies. However, while Haley has demonstrated that she can promote desired change, she has yet to prove the wisdom of her actions. Her inexperience has led her to make questionable decisions, leading to the alienation of members of her own party. It is true that Haley has separated herself from the established government that enraged the Tea Party in the recent past, but, once isolated, Haley appears heretical and, possibly, out of touch. The Republican candidate for president will need to be more animated than previous ones, since the Tea Party gravitates towards energy, and must make use of technology based campaign strategies. Haley’s election as governor appears to be indicative of the qualities voters now look for in candidates; personality was more significant in her election than policymaking skill. The Republicans will be better off with a charismatic candidate than a sagacious politician.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I only know a little about Haley's standings and about her background, I believe that she could be a very strong competitor for Obama or a Democrat in 2016. Haley is a young spirit who really advocates for change in her country. This is exactly what the Republican party needs in the upcoming election. Republicans are not satisfied with what Obama has done, especially with healthcare. So Republicans will probably be looking for anyone who will push for change. I believe that the next Republican candidate should be animated and eager to make a difference, everything that Haley seems to be. It also helps that she is young and will appeal to younger audiences.
ReplyDeleteNikki Haley’s charismatic demeanor coupled with her vivacious political attitudes could transform her into the front running presidential hopeful of the Republican Party in 2016. Her steadfast conservative ideals should maintain support from the Republican base, and her youthful exuberance will likely attract support from the Tea Party. However, her tumultuous relationship with the SC State Legislature raises doubts. Her demonstrated lack of flexibility in policy making has not been well received, especially when partisanship in Washington threatens to derail our economy and destroy our international reputation for credibility. The Republican Party needs a candidate with experience - someone ambitious, yet open minded. If Republicans are willing to endorse moderate candidates, relatively centrist political attitudes will attract independents and frustrated democrats. These voters, I believe, will decide the 2012 election.
ReplyDeleteThe easy answer to give is yes, Niki Haley will most likely be the presidential candidate for the republican party. As for everyone leaning towards the thought that she will be a vice president candidate instead of the presidential candidate, its best that you lose that thought.
ReplyDeleteHere we have a lady who is ambitious with her goals. And with the sky being the limit the presidency is at the top her list. Paired with the positive spirit and charm in the political view of people, it is obvious that the majority of voters will take her side during the election. i personally doubt though that it will be enough to win. for example in the article she shows that she isn't afraid of the job at hand and being a leader. The only problem is she lacks the, what seems, should be simple knowledge that everyone would expect a presidential candidate to have.
As for the 2012 election there are signs of hope for beating Obama out of the white house, just no certainties.
What seems to break Niki Haley apart from the rest of her party, thus making her so interesting is that she breaks the monotony of the typical party stereotype. She is not the old white man with a little bit of a stomach that is floating around in peoples heads as the typical Republican politician. However, i do not think that she will be the leader for the republican party. I think that what the Republican party will choose to do is take a bigger and more well known candidate to promote. We saw in 2008 the uproar that was caused when Palin was brought in. I highly doubt that the party could step behind someone that is still young in the game. In later years, after developing relationships and a support base i could see her in that position but not quite yet. The party needs a well developed more senior leader and a veteran to be running.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes Nikki Haley so appealing as a candidate is the fact that she is a new face. She is young, well known in the media for criticizing Obama on his handling of health care and spending. She is closer to the younger voters, which the Republican Party has not been in quite some time. Young voters especially see members of the Republican Parties as old fashioned and “Mavericks”. But with Haley’s addition they could spin their image as a party who is striving towards betterment and new and fresh ideas, which the Democratic Party does not have if they choose Obama again. Haley would be a good vice president candidate maybe not in this election but in 2016.By then Haley would be more experienced in the field of politics.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes Nikki Haley an appealing leader for the republicans is her sense of what is right. She knows exactly what she wants to do and it is in line with Republican ideology. She also loves to fight against what she thinks is entrenched power or big government. Republicans have always wanted to reduce the size of government.
ReplyDeleteTo defeat Obama the republicans will need someone who is a classic Republican and not a part of the Tea party. I believe this because the Tea partiers have isolated themselves from the rest of the Republican constituents by taking a more radical view of what the Republicans stand for. They need someone who can unite both the Tea party and regular Republicans so they can get enough votes to win.
I vehemently agree with Sam and Ben. Democrats largely control the youth vote because new generations are becoming more accepting and are more liberal on social issues such as gay marriage and abortion, both of which are staples on most Democrats' platforms. Lately, some Republicans have even gone so far as to say that youth don't deserve to vote because they are uninformed, which is both true and untrue; I don't think that Haley's youth benefits her at all. In terms of being a woman, I really don't think that Palin added anything to McCain's ticket- no one knew her well enough and she kept saying dumb things. If they were looking to gain female votes, it didn't work; most women voted for Hillary, (whose votes went to Obama) who is far more knowledgeable and deserving to represent women. That said, I do think that, when it comes to offense, Democratic men are often accused of being sexist by conservative media if they say something negative about a Republican woman (Bachman, Palin), which obviously works to Haley's advantage. Haley says that every state wishes they could be South Carolina, when in reality it is not in the best shape- it's education system is well below the national average. She could ride the Tea Party train to the top of the Republican party as Bachman has, but that also depends on the amount of power the Tea Party will continue to have over Republicans. She is a generic conservative- she stands for big businesses and claims to hate big government while she benefits from it. Like Ben said, if she can't work with a General Assembly which is mostly comprised of members of her own party, she would not be able to work with Congress. And like Sam said- Republicans have faired well with their middle-aged, southern, privileged upper middle class, white male, conservative Christian devotee candidates who have come to claim they are the anti-Obama, which is what most Republicans and Tea Partiers are asking for. I highly doubt that Haley will ever be a serious presidential contender.
ReplyDeleteNikki Haley in my mind would be a good choice for a republican candidate if they want to win the presidency. As of now she has not made a fool of herself unlike other republicans like Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann who are or at one point were reliable sources of jokes for comedians. She seems to know what she is talking about and what she needs to do to gain more political power. The break in the string of old, white men who some people are not entirely sure could run the country in a crisis for leaders would be a good idea if they want to gain less conservative voters.
ReplyDelete