On paper, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley should have been able to compete against — and maybe even beat — former President Donald Trump. She had executive experience as the governor of an important Southern, and solidly red, state. She had national security and foreign policy experience from her time at the United Nations, a position that elevated her profile on the global stage and within the echelons of American power. She had an inspiring all-American story: The daughter of immigrants whose family overcame hardships to carve out for themselves a slice of the American dream. She had the backing of big GOP donors who were willing to bankroll her run until they didn’t. She had charisma and presentability.
In the end, she fell prey to the same fundamental problem perplexing the modern day MAGA-led Republican Party. You cannot take on the MAGA movement if you tiptoe around its leader — even in heels.
But what Haley had on paper was just that and nothing more: a resume. And in the end, she fell prey to the same fundamental problem perplexing the modern day MAGA-led Republican Party. You cannot take on the MAGA movement if you tiptoe around its leader — even in heels.
As a result, Trump has prevailed, as he always assumed he would.
Perhaps the biggest irony of Haley bowing out of the race at this juncture, and paving the way for Trump’s coronation as the GOP nominee, is the relief many Democrats are now feeling. President Joe Biden is not a perfect candidate. But the best shot he has at re-election is against Trump.
Haley knew that she had a good shot against Biden. Probably a great shot. Her mainstream brand of conservatism might have peeled off some of the suburban voters who went for Biden in 2020 and who remain put off by Trump’s authoritarian, antidemocratic, xenophobic, misogynistic, anti-reproductive-rights policies and campaign. It was a selling point Haley could have hammered home early and often — that she was the candidate Biden didn’t…
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