Who gives a flying flamingo?
by Kolby LaMarche
As you may have seen, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is being thrown through the media wringer.
Wednesday, at a town hall in Berlin, New Hampshire, Haley was asked by a member of the audience “What was the cause the Civil War?”
“I think the cause of the Civil War was basically how government was going to run — the freedoms and what people could and couldn’t do,” Haley responded.
For the past several hours, media headlines have rung out, criticizing Haley. “Nikki Haley makes no mention of slavery” read one from NBC News.
I have a couple quick thoughts.
Firstly, Haley’s response was pathetic.
Not because she didn’t say the word “slavery”, but because she dropped the ball on a perfect opportunity to inject some energy into the NH Republican base.
As a former Republican, I know the talking points well. And the “party of Lincoln” bit would have worked well for Haley here.
Founded in 1854, the Republican Party sought to combat the expansion and practice of slavery. It was Lincoln, of course, who signed the emancipation proclamation.
For decades, the Republican Party fought for American liberties. In that time, the Republicans, without a doubt, stood for freedom. Whereas the Democrats stood to defend the practice of slavery.
Furthermore, it was South Democrats who, after the abolition of slavery, continued discrimination via Jim Crow legislation.
So when people want to rattle on about the cause of the Civil War let’s remember who, in fact, sought to end it and ensure the well-being of liberty for all.
At least, that is what I would have advised Haley to say. She missed a major opportunity to knock the wind out of potential negative headlines. Rather, she could have strengthened her relationship with Republicans and the Party.
Secondly, who gives a flying flamingo?
The media response to this controversy is outrageous. And reminds me, eerily, of the sensational 2016 coverage of a certain former president. The incessant coverage, chewing every loose scrap, all while leaving that guy in the White House unchecked.
Haley wasn’t even necessarily wrong. You’ll often hear Southerners claim the Civil War was an issue of state’s rights. They aren’t wrong. They are just lacking a bit of detail: state’s rights over slavery.
Instead of toppling over themselves because a woman didn’t say what they wanted her to, leftist talking heads and the media ought to focus on Haley’s economic plans, or foreign policy in the midst of so much conflict.
As a leftist, I’m here to tell you I don’t give a toss. And neither should you.