Nikki Haley’s announcement that she would vote for Trump in November unsettled me. It shouldn’t, she’s a politician. But I hang on to the belief that decent people will always do the right thing in the end.
On the surface, Haley’s action seems to be that of a party faithful returning to the fold and supporting the apparent nominee after a hard fought primary season. It’s de rigueur in politics to do so no matter how divisive and personal the fight. As a politician, Haley must not alienate her party colleagues if she wants to stay relevant and have a future in the Republican party. This has never been as true as it is now given the mindset of the MAGA leaders. I get it, but these are not normal times.
It’s the death of truth and the decency to practice it that bothers me. Haley is conservative, very conservative, but she knows that Trump’s actions and policies as president were not conservative, democratic or designed to do the right thing by the American people. She said as much during the primaries. She knows that Trump is dangerous and out for himself period.
Haley didn’t have to join Liz Cheney and tell it like it is. She could have kept her mouth shut and kept her opposition to Trump viable at least through the upcoming Republican convention. There is still an outside possibility that the Trump candidacy might falter given court decisions. health problems or a miracle of conscience by convention delegates. Haley still has a sizable following among the Republican electorate who clearly would like to see someone other than Trump as the party’s candidate in 2024.
Truth and decency upfront, sooner rather than later, would be the most honorable thing to do. But, of course, that is out of the question in these troubled times.