National Politics - 2016

Robert Romano: Nikki Haley And Barack Obama Both Take Aim At Donald Trump

WILL SPEECH BACKFIRE ON PALMETTO STATE GOVERNOR? || By ROBERT ROMANO || Does South Carolina Republican Governor Nikki Haley have the same speechwriter as President Barack Obama? One might have gotten that outlandish impression after listening to the President’s State of the Union Address and then the very unusual so-called…

WILL SPEECH BACKFIRE ON PALMETTO STATE GOVERNOR?

|| By ROBERT ROMANO || Does South Carolina Republican Governor Nikki Haley have the same speechwriter as President Barack Obama?

One might have gotten that outlandish impression after listening to the President’s State of the Union Address and then the very unusual so-called Republican response by Haley.

Both speeches shared similar themes and both appeared to target current GOP presidential frontrunner, Donald Trump, particularly his stance against illegal immigration.

Trump has proposed deporting the several million illegal immigrants here in the U.S., building a wall on the border with Mexico and temporarily halting immigration by Muslims in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino.

“Will we respond to the changes of our time with fear, turning inward as a nation, turning against each other as a people?” Obama asked during the speech.

“Our public life withers when only the most extreme voices get all the attention,” the President added elsewhere, another apparent jab at Trump.

Contrast that with Haley’s very similar statement: “During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation.”

Was she referring to Obama — or Trump? Remember, this is the Republican response to the State of the Union Address.

Because, Haley then segued directly into a discussion on illegal immigration, saying, “No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country. At the same time, that does not mean we just flat out open our borders. We can’t do that. We cannot continue to allow immigrants to come here illegally. And in this age of terrorism, we must not let in refugees whose intentions cannot be determined. We must fix our broken immigration system.
That means stopping illegal immigration. And it means welcoming properly vetted legal immigrants, regardless of their race or religion. Just like we have for centuries. I have no doubt that if we act with proper focus, we can protect our borders, our sovereignty and our citizens, all while remaining true to America’s noblest legacies.”

As a matter of fact, Obama did not even mention illegal immigration in his speech. Who else could she have been referencing besides Trump?

Elsewhere in the speech, Haley also said, “Some people think that you have to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference. That is just not true. Often, the best thing we can do is turn down the volume. When the sound is quieter, you can actually hear what someone else is saying. And that can make a world of difference.”

Loudest voice? Was Haley responding to Obama — or Trump?

Fortunately, readers don’t have to guess.

On NBC’s “Today Show” Haley confirmed to Matt Lauer she was indeed referring to Trump with the “loudest voice” and the “siren call of the angriest voices” references in the speech.

“He was one of them. Yes. He was one. There’s other people in the media, there’s people in my state, I think we’re seeing it across the country. But, yes. Mr. Trump has definitely contributed to what I think is just irresponsible talk,” she replied.

When asked if she was supposed to deliver a partisan response to Obama – although Lauer characterized it as “a full scale, partisan, political attack” – Haley responded, “That wasn’t me. That’s not me.”

And this is supposed to a prospective candidate for vice president – who traditionally serves as an attack dog on the campaign trail? Lauer said because of her speech she had cemented her position as “a leading candidate for vice president.” Haley declined to answer whether she would take the job.

But perhaps Haley already gave her response when she was asked if she was supposed to deliver a partisan counterpoint to Obama from the State of the Union Address: “That’s not me.”

Maybe her role was not to respond to Obama or Democrats at all. Take this self-inflicted wound: “I think it’s important that Republicans look in the mirror and realize, we also are to blame.”

Blame? For what, precisely? Someone needs to ask a follow-up question here.

If she is referring to spending trillions of dollars we don’t have, adding to the now $18 trillion national debt, we agree. Or failing to defund the health care law, Obama’s executive amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants with U.S.-born children or Planned Parenthood. Or bailing out banks in TARP. Or, one could go on.

Otherwise, what does she think Republicans are to blame for?

There are many places for Republicans to be introspective.

But, there is a time and a place for that. And it’s probably not following up the State of the Union Address.

Just saying. Because, this was a rather unusual “response” to Obama by Republicans, that appeared more concerned about, say, influencing GOP primary voters in the must-win state of South Carolina than providing a Republican counterpoint to Obama. If and when it backfires, nobody should be surprised.

Robert Romano is the senior editor of Americans for Limited Government.

***

Related posts

National Politics - 2016

Donald Trump Outworked Hillary Clinton

FITSNews
National Politics - 2016

President-Elect!

FITSNews
National Politics - 2016

Only 1,400 Sign SC Democratic “Elector Petition”

FITSNews

70 comments

CorruptionInColumbia January 14, 2016 at 1:32 pm

The skank sees that she is going nowhere fast in the Republican Party, especially when Trump gets the nomination. Her only hope now is to cozy up to Hildabeast and hope Hildabeast will throw her a crumb or two.

Reply
rockyverdadsuglyclan January 14, 2016 at 1:56 pm

You got it.THE only issue to most voters is the immigration issue.She was given her minute of fame for taking the confederate flag down and surrendering to the racist bigots running the Democrat Party, per the Republican Establishment.

How did she use it? She became a Democrat on illegal immigration and Amnesty.

Reply
DNC January 14, 2016 at 2:18 pm

Who cares about Haley when people like you are driving moderate Republican voters to us by the thousands!

Reply
mamatiger92 January 14, 2016 at 2:19 pm

Shhhh!!! Don’t tell them!

Reply
DNC January 14, 2016 at 2:20 pm

Telling them just infuriates them and drives them even further off the cliff, no harm to us!

Rocky Verdad January 14, 2016 at 2:40 pm

True, it seems to be like catnip. They just push more people over.

rockyverdadsuglyclan January 14, 2016 at 3:09 pm

When Barack Obama took office, he was hailed as a liberal savior. His presidency, it was believed, would usher in a new era of progressive dominance not seen since Roosevelt. Instead, Republicans have been restored to a position of power across the country they had not known since Al Smith lost 40 states to Herbert Hoover. Far from revitalizing it, Obama has erased generations of the Democratic Party’s progress.

Ferguson January 14, 2016 at 3:12 pm

Too bad the Republican congress hasn’t done a damn thing with all this power. Which is the real reason people are pissed.

Flip R. Morals Sr. January 14, 2016 at 3:54 pm

You got a point.That and illegal immigration.

Sic Semper Tyrannis January 14, 2016 at 4:45 pm

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan

Rocky Verdad January 14, 2016 at 5:12 pm

And gave Obama everything he wanted. Thanks!!!!

rockyverdadsuglylies January 14, 2016 at 8:48 pm

Like when you FALSELY accused Joshua Kimbrell of child molestation? You got a bad habit of this shit:

Rocky • a year ago

Why is it that conservatives say Dems are destroying America with some pro-gay progressive agenda, and then they end up fondling little boys? What a fine upstanding upstater. There’s a reason smart people live in the Low Country – to stay away from pervs like this. And he’ll probably get off. Again – ba da boom. Hey, wasn’t he a blogger for Big T………..

rockyverdadsuglyclan January 14, 2016 at 3:07 pm

In two consecutive midterms, Republicans have decimated the Democratic Party’s bench of talent, not just on the federal or statewide level but farther down the ballot as well. The GOP now controls 69 of the nation’s 99 legislative chambers, a dramatic reversal, according to Washington Examiner columnist David Freddoso, from 2008 when Barack Obama’s party controlled 62 legislative chambers. The GOP now has the total command of state government – both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s mansions – in 23 states, while Democrats command the levers of government in just seven states. In addition to the Republican Party’s 31 governorships, the GOP enjoys the allegiance of 32 lieutenant governors offices and 29 crucial secretaries of state.

Rocky Verdad January 14, 2016 at 5:12 pm

And yet they can’t beat a Clinton plant.

rockyverdadsuglylies January 14, 2016 at 8:48 pm

Like when you FALSELY accused Joshua Kimbrell of child molestation? You got a bad habit of this shit:

Rocky • a year ago

Why is it that conservatives say Dems are destroying America with some pro-gay progressive agenda, and then they end up fondling little boys? What a fine upstanding upstater. There’s a reason smart people live in the Low Country – to stay away from pervs like this. And he’ll probably get off. Again – ba da boom. Hey, wasn’t he a blogger for Big T…..

rockyverdadsuglyclan January 14, 2016 at 3:11 pm

The Democratic officeholders who survived the routings of 2010 and 2014 are primarily entrenched incumbents and are invariably of an older set. The Democratic Party is rapidly becoming a political organization that, as liberals once said of the GOP, does not look like the constituents it seeks to represent.

Reply
Sic Semper Tyrannis January 14, 2016 at 2:13 pm

Good idea. She would be a good dem.

Reply
Derp January 14, 2016 at 3:41 pm

Going to Washington is ‘nowhere fast’?
LOL!
He’s used you racist bumpkins as stepping stones straight to the top.
Nonbody across America cares what you have to say…they just know you elected her TWICE!
So stupid….

Reply
mamatiger92 January 14, 2016 at 1:33 pm

Damn. Nikki clearly hit a nerve. That’s like 6 stories in the past 2 days.

Reply
rockyverdadsuglyclan January 14, 2016 at 1:51 pm

Any suggestions? Update on DAT BOY”S criminal brother? How about how Sabin DABOTIZED the ‘Tiggers’?

Reply
vicupstate January 14, 2016 at 2:13 pm

How about a story on the USC basketball team losing to Saban’s school?

Reply
mamatiger92 January 14, 2016 at 2:18 pm

They’re all Bama fans now anyway, so it’s all good.

Reply
Sic Semper Tyrannis January 14, 2016 at 4:48 pm

Wait till next year!

Bible Thumper January 14, 2016 at 3:01 pm

Or Clemson beating #14 Pittsburgh and #6 Duke in consecutive games. 4-1 and third place in the ACC.

Reply
mamatiger92 January 14, 2016 at 3:04 pm

Louisville, not Pitt, but I’m right there with you!

Bible Thumper January 14, 2016 at 3:33 pm

Oops!

Sic Semper Tyrannis January 14, 2016 at 2:16 pm

Way cool. This is so much fun.

Reply
Ferguson January 14, 2016 at 3:17 pm

Rush was whining on about her again today. But in the last few weeks, I’ve seen on other conservative forums hate for Rush, Levin and Beck whenever they say anything negative about Trump.

Reply
mamatiger92 January 14, 2016 at 3:23 pm

She’s getting quite a lot of pub.

Reply
Tazmaniac January 14, 2016 at 3:26 pm

IDK has it been 6 weeks since the baby was born? Do Docs still impose that on new Fathers? Poor Will seems to be showing certain frustrations in some of his latest articles. The Nikki’s mouth one was the not-so-cherry, cherry on top.

Reply
Trump's Chumps January 14, 2016 at 1:33 pm

Republicans truly have lost it if they can’t tell that Trump is possibly the worse direction the party could wander off in.

Reply
rockyverdadsuglyclan January 14, 2016 at 1:57 pm

Borders are closed..WALL going up….deal with it!

Reply
Dealing With It January 14, 2016 at 2:16 pm

Establishment Republicans groaning, Hillary grinning, dealt with.

Reply
Sic Semper Tyrannis January 14, 2016 at 2:21 pm

You haven’t said where you’re moving after Hillary wins. Any idea?

Reply
Closet Socialist Homeland January 14, 2016 at 2:22 pm

He’s secretly a leftist so probably Canada to get that awesome single payer healthcare.

Reply
rockyverdadsuglyclan January 14, 2016 at 2:30 pm

Wins what? A job in the prison library?

Reply
Sic Semper Tyrannis January 14, 2016 at 2:39 pm

Where you going?

erneba January 14, 2016 at 2:05 pm

“Lauer said because of her speech she had cemented her position as “a leading candidate for vice president.”
But..but…but… Matt, what happens if Trump is the Republican nominee?
She has cemented herself into political tomb.
If any other potential candidate wins the nomination, it could happen. The part she played with that speech could be considered significant in Trump losing the nomination(I doubt that). And she could be rewarded for playing a part and could be considered an asset on the ticket for the female vote.
Lauer’s comment should be taken with a grain of salt and Haley’s chance at receiving the nod, from another candidate at this point, are slim. The speech drew recognition for Haley; but consideration for VP is premature.

Reply
Ferguson January 14, 2016 at 3:14 pm

Trump already said he wanted Oprah as his VP.

Reply
Trumpublican January 14, 2016 at 4:04 pm

Of course a liberal billionaire would want another liberal billionaire as a running mate….a lesbian one at that!

Reply
guru January 14, 2016 at 3:23 pm

Maybe she had too many vodka tonics before the speech.

Reply
Greg January 14, 2016 at 3:33 pm

Haleys dreams of leaving this state after milking it dry are evaporating fast. She is really desperate now because the GOP nominee nor the Democratic nominee will not give her the time of day in the future it will be Trump VS Clinton.

Reply
Derp January 14, 2016 at 4:05 pm

You think Trump is a republican who is supported by the RNC?
That’s funny.

Reply
Flip R. Morals Sr. January 14, 2016 at 4:06 pm

She pissed it all away with her PRO Amnesty speech.

Reply
Bible Thumper January 14, 2016 at 3:35 pm

Of note, Haley hasn’t been criticized by any Republicans that have been elected any office. They are too afraid of her.

You can judge a person by the enemies they make. Haley is making all the right enemies on the left and wacky right. Wasserman and Ramono.

Reply
Kooks for Trumps January 14, 2016 at 3:53 pm

LOL – the folks running the Donald’s ground game in Iowa.

The team of people working to turn out caucus goers for Trump in Iowa on Feb. 1 is a motley crew. The Times reported one volunteer had yet to knock on any doors or make any phone calls to potential caucus goers; another is a 9/11 truther who was told by senior campaign officials to not mention 9/11 to voters.

Rick Shaddock, a precinct captain in Fairfield who maintains a 9/11 conspiracy website, told the Times that so far he’s gotten 12 people to agree to caucus.

“I got 12 to go to the caucus, but I don’t know if they will actually vote for Donald Trump,” Shaddock told the paper.

Reply
Bible Thumper January 14, 2016 at 8:58 pm

Births to truthers. Trump is drawing in the entire conspiracy theory spectrum. Far left and right.

Reply
Flip R. Morals Sr. January 14, 2016 at 4:04 pm

‘They are too afraid of her’…???? Oh my…nobody outside of SC and the Washington beltway even knows who the hell she is.

My guess is 98% of voters don’t know who she is.Hell half the country doesn’t even know who the vp is now.

Reply
Bible Thumper January 14, 2016 at 4:29 pm

Don’t know who she is? Don’t comment like a fool. Ramono, Rush, Coulter and Ingraham are dedicating large segments of their programs to criticize her.

Reply
Sic Semper Tyrannis January 14, 2016 at 4:56 pm

Does that mean they a trump boys?

Reply
Flip R. Morals Sr. January 14, 2016 at 8:23 pm

Comment like a fool? You blindly defend the Democrat WHORE Haley and who is the fool?

You my friend.

Reply
rockyverdadsuglylies January 14, 2016 at 8:46 pm

Haley just apologized to Trump and is taking back her comments.

Reply
rockyverdadsuglylies January 14, 2016 at 8:52 pm

Haley was forced to clarify a bit after an interview earlier in the day when she said she had issues with more candidates in the 2016 Republican field than just Donald Trump, whom she had criticized during her State of the Union rebuttal. Among those issues were Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s previous push for comprehensive immigration reforms he’s now abandoned (buzzword: “amnesty”) and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s support for Common Core education standards.

“I talked about Marco Rubio — you know, I’m against his Gang of Eight bill. He is not for amnesty, but I was against his Gang of Eight bill,” Haley told Fox News. As for Bush, she clarified that he didn’t enact as legislation the education standards she had said he did. “Gov. Bush, he supported Common Core, certainly didn’t pass it, but supported it.”

She said she simply misspoke.

http://www.ibtimes.com/nikki-haley-backtracks-marco-rubio-jeb-bush-criticism-over-amnesty-common-core-2265211

She lies so much she can’t keep em straight!Like Rocky!!!

Reply
Robert J. Romano January 14, 2016 at 4:39 pm

That’s Romano. Time for some thicker frames there, Ned. Good day. ;)

Reply
Bible Thumper January 14, 2016 at 5:50 pm

I believe optometrists are part of a conspiracy with smart phone makers.

Reply
stumpknocker January 14, 2016 at 5:18 pm

helluva game Thumper, while winning is always the prefered outcome, Clemson fans, have good reason to be proud of their team, alabama just got lucky

Reply
Bible Thumper January 14, 2016 at 5:38 pm

Saban is an evil genius, but the Tigers had a great season and have a great program.

Reply
Writenow January 14, 2016 at 5:42 pm

The comments here are hilarious. Republican anger and outrage is directly proportional to them not getting Republicans taxed and blew up the budget all while claiming they want “smaller government”

Obama inherited Bush’s two fake wars. Idiots can’t seem to remembe that.

There’s a bird sancturary in Oregon that is just waitng for you loons. Go join ’em!

Reply
Daniel Boome January 15, 2016 at 1:37 pm

Funny you bring up Oregon. It looks like the FBI has taken over for the BLM in harassing residents there. Sounds like the Bundys and the patriots converging there have been right all along.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB6m7x3QDAg

http://katu.com/news/local/harney-county-fire-chief-resigns-sides-with-armed-protesters

Reply
Writenow January 15, 2016 at 2:51 pm

You keep drinking that moonshine Daniel Boone!

Reply
Daniel Boome January 15, 2016 at 2:56 pm

I think a drink could really help you out right now. You need to loosen up, quit living in your bubble that tells you to be dismissive of facts and believe the lies.

Reply
Writenow January 15, 2016 at 3:41 pm

I think you could do stand up. You’re hilarious!

Kiddie GOP Debate January 14, 2016 at 6:10 pm

Huckabee complaining about some lady that has to clean offices 15 hours a day to make ends meet. No shit, Sherlock, that position has never paid a lot of money. And it is also time for all these out of work ex-factory workers to find a new trade. Go learn plumbing, welding etc..that’s what the GOP always likes to tell the people on food stamps and welfare.

Reply
Kiddie GOP Debate January 14, 2016 at 6:55 pm

New dogwhistle for section 8 housing, courtesy of Santorum – single parent neighborhood. I don’t know that there is such a thing as a single parent school though – he mentioned that too.

Reply
the gop circus January 14, 2016 at 9:31 pm

LOL, Cruz pulls a Yo Momma on Trump.

Reply
euwe max January 15, 2016 at 3:44 am Reply
RogueElephant January 15, 2016 at 8:35 am

If I hadn’t already been for Trump , I would be after last night in Chstn. Trump’s retort about “New Your values” and 911 almost brought tears to the eyes of some fellow debate attendees. It was beautiful. He shut Cruz down like hitting a wall. Cruz did an excellent job but Trump had already been briefed on his comment and was prepared to give the perfect response .He showed a feeling side he hasn’t been able to show before. I’ll bet he would be a great boss to work for. A businessman POTUS not a politician. Sounds good to me.

Reply
rockyverdadsuglylies January 15, 2016 at 8:54 am

Excellent observation.Spot on.Trump sealed the deal last night and Cruz showed himself to be brilliant,informed and would really ‘gin’ up the base.

Trumps 30 second closing on American sailor prisoners on their ‘knees’ won’t soon be forgotten.

Haley changed her story and he even let her off the hook (I am sure ONLY prior to SC vote).

A great night for TRUE Americans last night.

Reply
Annie January 15, 2016 at 8:49 am

Yep, Ohakley stepped in it yet again.
Screw her!

Reply
rockyverdadsuglylies January 15, 2016 at 8:55 am

She is back tracking on her comments about ‘my friend’ Trump faster than she backtracked on the confederate flag.

Reply

Leave a Comment