The Indian-born, ex-UN Ambassador has gained mainstream popularity & been a part of growing political debate & discussion, with her unforgettable parting statements on October 9th as she stepped down as the UN Ambassador while publicly criticising US President Donald Trump.
It’s not uncommon to see ex-officials & those on the political sidelines criticize Trump: the man has earned a reputation for himself with his brash, polarizing brand of showmanship & politics. But the number of people turning on Trump & walking out while freely criticising his work & policies is a growing movement within his own administration.
“He said if I get stuck for laughs, just brag about his accomplishments. It really killed at the U.N., I got to tell you.”
That’s just Nikki’s sense of humour & wit the world was charmed with - the real firepower lay in what she proceeded to say ahead.
“In America, our political opponents are not evil. In South Sudan, where rape is routinely used as a weapon of war — that is evil. In Syria, where the dictator uses chemical weapons to murder innocent children — that is evil. In North Korea, where American student Otto Warmbier was tortured to death — that was evil.”
Nikki chose the word “toxic” to describe the current political environment, where Trump readily vilifies & ridicules people, ideas & entire movements in blanket statements. He calls the news media “paid” & “fake”, but is least accountable for his own statements about those that critique or oppose him in any form or capacity.
These resounding words ring true for how loosely vilification has been thrown about in today’s world. It was a stab at Trump’s blase statements about Democrats being the party of “crime” or the Kavanaugh protesters being “evil.” Nikki disagreed, softly but surely, instead preferring to call political differences & opponents exactly that - opponents. She cut the drama & actually said something real.
The setting was perfect as she left on a high note, but she was quick to confirm on what would have been the number one speculation on most people’s minds -
“For all of you who are going to ask about 2020, no, I am not running for 2020. What I can say is I will be campaigning for [Trump].”
It seems unlikely that anyone can compete the bid for Trump’s second term in 2020 - she’s aware of the odds & possibilities. But it’s the excitement citizens & common folk feel with the thought of Haley joining the electoral race, possibly in 2024 to become the first party endorsed Republican female candidate to contest the US elections.
If that holds true, it will be quite a sight to behold. Haley is highly qualified for the role - she hails from an Indian family & yet climbed the political ranks to become the Governor of South Carolina, what would be traditionally considered to be a very Caucasian, Deep South state. She is politically capable, astute & has handled more than just political challenges that have come her way. She upholds the values of an ideal Republican, conservative & level headed.
But it took a long way for Nikki to reach that UN seat before she gave it up. There were rumours & smears run against her when she won the Governor’s seat, accusing her of using sexual favours. But she fought these off & continued to succeed with a second consecutive win, silencing all her critics & naysayers. To imagine an Asian-American woman achieve this in a traditionally “red state” is something people would have absolutely chuckled at in ridicule only half a decade ago.
Her appointment to be a UN Ambassador is no mere coincidence, built on her capability as a politician. She has considerable international experience now with her tenure, and it will only grow over years as she hones her political skills. By 2024, it might be the perfect time for America to finally see that candidature that’s currently the talk of the town.
We’re certain the story doesn’t end here. Nikki Haley might just be America’s next big hope for change - except this time, it’ll be a woman painting the town red. Figure that out.
