February 17, 2016

Nikki Haley endorses Marco Rubio.

"Haley, the state’s most popular GOP politician in polls, has decided to back the establishment candidate considered to be in best position to challenge Republican front-runners Donald Trump and Ted Cruz."

69 comments:

eric said...

Thus giving the election to Donald Trump.

I remember way back in 2012 when she endorsed Romney and it helped him so much, Newt clobbered him in SC.

Henry said...

eric, your analogy has a flaw.

Bay Area Guy said...

Good -- Trey Gowdy, Tim Scott and now Haley have endorsed Rubio.

However, SC voters tend to do what they want. Hope it makes a difference, but not sure it will.

Elected GOP officials need to get off the sidelines and start picking Trump, Rubio or Cruz

mikee said...

SC voters are politically interesting. They elected Haley based on her expressed policies, not on her gender, skin color, or ethnicity. They like people to do what they say they will do.

It will be interesting to see if Gov. Haley's endorsement of the establishment candidate has any pull with the voters this time around. If not, perhaps the result will be seen as supportive of voter contempt for the establishment.

bleh said...

Well, I expect Trump will react as he usually does and play Democrat hatchet man against Haley. He will talk at length about the affair/sexual harassment allegations made by that one crazy dude. Trump is a petulant child who will lash out thoughtlessly. Republicans support him at their own peril.

The trick is going to be easing him out of the race without him burning the whole party down. The rumors about him being in the race to help Hillary seem more plausible every day.

bleh said...

Trump is going to call Haley "overrated" and a "disaster" who has "serious problems in her life."

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

I'm having a hard time imagining a Secret Service agent taking a bullet for Donald Trump.

Nonapod said...

I find it difficult to believe that endorsements make much of a difference one way or another. At any rate, Trump supporters are of a different mind set than supporters of other candidates. Nothing seems to phase them. They truly believe that Trump can solve all the problems, and nothing is going to convince them otherwise. For the most part there's no reasoning with them. It's a matter of faith.


Original Mike said...

"I'm having a hard time imagining a Secret Service agent taking a bullet for Donald Trump."

tradguy.

Hagar said...

Probably more that if these other clowns can't even deal with Trump, maybe we are better off with Trump.

Rick said...

Nonapod said...
I find it difficult to believe that endorsements make much of a difference one way or another.


Ding.

BDNYC said...
Trump is going to call Haley "overrated" and a "disaster" who has "serious problems in her life."


That would be a mistake. Contra the people he's actually running against she's pretty popular.

MayBee said...

Good. I like Marco and Nikki.

Gahrie said...

Well, you know Trump has had an impact when they start describing Rubio as establishment. Sure Rubio is more establishment than Cruz or Trump, but let's not forget he began his career as an outsider challenging the establishment. If Trump was not in the race, rubio would definitely be considered an outsider.

Tank said...

Rubio.

Amnesty.

How about a candidate who does not want to reward people for breaking into the country? How about that Nikki?

Gahrie said...

Well, you know Trump has had an impact when they start describing Rubio as establishment. Sure Rubio is more establishment than Cruz or Trump, but let's not forget he began his career as an outsider challenging the establishment. If Trump was not in the race, rubio would definitely be considered an outsider.


Rubio lost his outsider cred when he kissed Chuck Schumer on the lips and joined him to push through amnesty.

Big Mike said...

It's a little late to be useful.

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

No way would Rubio ever be considered an outsider after the Gang of 8 and signing onto the college rape crisis bullshit.

He may have started out as an outsider but he quickly jumped into bed with them.

MayBee said...

Rubio learned from the Gang of 8 thing.

I respect that illegal immigration is a very difficult subject. On the one hand, we can't reward people for being here illegally or encourage more to come illegally. On the other hand, there are people here who work hard, who have families, who are good people. I can see that he thought he knew a way to work on that problem. I can especially see him thinking it because being against things like the DREAM act and against illegal immigration is one of those subjects people have been told to just shut up about. So it may be difficult for a lawmaker to know the real mood of the country.

But he learned. I don't think he's going to try to push anything through, ala Obamacare.

damikesc said...

Good -- Trey Gowdy, Tim Scott and now Haley have endorsed Rubio.

However, SC voters tend to do what they want. Hope it makes a difference, but not sure it will.


Those 3 are MILES ahead of anybody in the state for popularity and respect.

It won't make a difference here, though.

Well, I expect Trump will react as he usually does and play Democrat hatchet man against Haley. He will talk at length about the affair/sexual harassment allegations made by that one crazy dude. Trump is a petulant child who will lash out thoughtlessly. Republicans support him at their own peril.

Trump isn't suicidal. He'll blow it off as irrelevant, but attacking Haley would be an exceptionally poor idea here.

Gahrie said...

At any rate, Trump supporters are of a different mind set than supporters of other candidates. Nothing seems to phase them. They truly believe that Trump can solve all the problems, and nothing is going to convince them otherwise. For the most part there's no reasoning with them. It's a matter of faith.

I agree with this 100%. let me first say, I understand the desire to support Trump. I understand the anger of his supporters. I am just as anti-establishment as the next guy. I wouldn't piss on McConnell if he was on fire, and Ryan has been a major disappointment. The absurdity of a potential Jeb Bush candidacy at this time almost goes unsaid. (The fact that wealthy Republican donors continue to waste their money on him shows how deep the rot is)

But Trump is nothing more than Obama warmed over. It's all messianic rhetoric from a rabble rousing demagogue.

My parents had absolute contempt for those who bought into Obama's message, but today they're both Trump supporters. They either can't, or refuse to see the hypocrisy. They aren't alone.

The good thing for the Republican party is that only about a third is angry enough to support Trump, while about three quarters are angry enough to support outsider candidates (Trump, Carson, Cruz, Rubio, Fiorina).

The Republican establishment has to realize that this is one of those times (like Reagan) when they have to bite the bullet and support a conservative candidate. (if nothing else, it'll give them the chance to say I told you so next time)

A significant number of Trump and Cruz supporters are not going to vote for Rubio, they'll stay home if he's the nominee. However, most Trump supporters and Rubio supporters would be willing to compromise on Cruz.

The non-Trump wings of the Republican Party should immediately compromise on Cruz, show Trump to actually be in the minority he is in, and begin the race against Hillary.

Anybody up for a Cruz/Carly ticket?

Lance said...

RCP now has Bush trailing Kasich in SC. How many fourth and fifth place finishes will it take for Bush to get the hint?

damikesc said...

One reason they might not be willing to get behind one guy is fear.

What if --- and, I admit, this is a bit scary --- Trump gets a majority against all of them one on one?

Perhaps this split vote thing is limiting Trump's numbers?


Not saying it is the case, but do you think they really, REALLY want to know?

Bay Area Guy said...

@Gahrie

Anybody up for a Cruz/Carly ticket?

Sure. Cruz is an acceptable conservative candidate. Carly is less important, but she's fine too. Voting for Cruz/Carly in the General against Hillary/Castro? No hesitation whatsoever.

A significant number of Trump and Cruz supporters are not going to vote for Rubio, they'll stay home if he's the nominee.

These people should self-identify as rubes. They have lost sight of the objective and are doing Hillary's bidding. If they stay home, and Hillary wins, and appoints a Leftist to the Scalia seat, giving them a 5-4 liberal majority, and they overturn Heller, and the 2nd Amendment is greatly weakened, what lame excuse will they offer?

In this type of close election between imperfect candidates, when the stakes are so high, staying home is not an option. If Trump wins the nomination, I think he will have difficulty getting to 50% to beat Hillary, but I will definitely vote for him.

Nonapod said...

I agree that coalescing around a single non-Trump candidate may be our only hope. Hopefully Jeb, Kasich, and Carson will do the right thing and drop out after Saturday. They're just being selfish at this point.

Then it's just between Cruz and Rubio. I personally don't care much which one it is. Neither is without flaw. Cruz is more of authentically conservative and Rubio is probably more agreeable to the general electorate. But hopefully with just the 3 left, the clear "not Trump" will emerge.

David said...

For President the Indian governor from an immigrant family endorses the Hispanic senator from an immigrant family, once again proving that the Republicans are the anti-immigrant party.

Henry said...

If the Republican nominee is from Florida, then Kasich is the VP. Ohio.

David said...

Nikki Haley has some balls. And smarts. Her critique of Trump (we have to work with the president and how can we work with him) is the best and most concise yet.

I had not decided who I was voting for, but I think I'll respect my governor and go Rubio. (Even though he talks too fast.)

David said...

"I remember way back in 2012 when she endorsed Romney and it helped him so much, Newt clobbered him in SC."

In other words she's willing to step up for her beliefs even if she's not guaranteed to win. Not a bad trait in my book.

traditionalguy said...

Trump was told by real South Carolinian Trump supporters, " You can't let them intimidate you. We need to send new blood and new thinkers to DC...we need you."

So Donald will be there for them. He is not about to fear a Rubio, Gowdy, Haley Axis of Establishment REMFs.





HoodlumDoodlum said...

Have the Republicans tried promising minority interest groups $125B yet? I hear that's a winning tactic.

Chuck said...

To Bill from the Republic of Texas;

You're right about the two black marks on Rubio's record. Amnesty and that foolish college sexual assault p.r. stunt.

The thing is, those are the only two things in his background that concern me. Trump has about seventy-five of them.

Gusty Winds said...

After her SOTU rebuttal, I don't think anyone cares. So now she's off the VP list. So what?

What option does she have in the general election, endorse Hillary?

Tonight's town hall with Joe and Mika will be fun. My brother and I have got together for all the GOP debates to drink beer and let Trump crack us up.

Stopping for Spotted Cow after work. This is a drinkers election.



tim in vermont said...

Have the Republicans tried promising minority interest groups $125B yet? I hear that's a winning tactic.

The trick will be to tax Democrats to get the money. A billionaire's, bond trader, and hedge fund mgr tax ought to do it.

Original Mike said...

"A significant number of Trump and Cruz supporters are not going to vote for Rubio, they'll stay home if he's the nominee."

"You look good in that robe, Justice Holder."

Birkel said...

So the WSJ/NBC poll shows Cruz ahead nationally.
I do not trust that poll but there it is anyway.

Rick said...

tim in vermont said...
Have the Republicans tried promising minority interest groups $125B yet? I hear that's a winning tactic.

The trick will be to tax Democrats to get the money. A billionaire's, bond trader, and hedge fund mgr tax ought to do it.


Since the government enforced slavery and Jim Crow it seems appropriate the government pay the price. So apply a 20 point surtax to all government employees.

Titus said...

endorsements don't matter.

And SC is like one of the states with the poorest job growth in the country.

No creative economy there because the state is run by religious pubes-doesn't attract young talent.

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...

Titus said...
And SC is like one of the states with the poorest job growth in the country.


SC has taken one of the toughest beatings from globalization.

Chuck said...

I actually liked Nikki Haley's statement from just earlier in the week. She said that she was not ready to endorse anyone, but she was opposed to Trump. I loved that.

William said...

Trump lost the coveted Lena Dunham endorsement in Iowa to Hillary. Now this. I wonder if this is finally the blow from which his candidacy will not recover. I'll wait and see what Jennifer Lawrence has to say before making up my mind, but there can be no denying that this is a serious setback.

Etienne said...

I'm thinking Bush is drinking rum like a fish now...

chickelit said...

@Original Mike:

A significant number of Republicans are not going to vote for Trump, they'll stay home if he's the nominee.

"You look good in that robe, Justice Holder."

Goose/gander

chickelit said...

Why didn't Jeb Bush insist that he would vote for Hillary! if Trump were the nominee?

BrianE said...

Cruz- Seems to be grounded in conservative/small government principles. My only concern is his relationship with Wall Street bankers
Kasich- I would prefer a governor, and he is the only person running that actually tamed the leviathan federal budget. I mean really, actually led the charge to reducing the growth of the government

Bush- Because he's a governor. I don't think we need another Bush though, although he seems to be the more thoughtful governor in the family
Rubio- I think he's too young, needs more experience. I have no idea how opportunistic he is. My guess is he is sincere
Trump- Don't trust the man. But then, I often disagreed with him on The Apprentice, so there's that. I will give him credit for changing the dynamic of the election. Thinks are so unbalanced it's hard to judge any of the candidates though, what with all the bomb throwing

I think Fiorina would make a fine VP. I don't trash her for HP, the tech sector was in pretty bad shape. Her time at Lucent was mixed also, but I think she would be a good addition to the ticket-- she would be a good person to articulate conservative principles and I like how she took on Planned Parenthood, when everyone else was skating

Having said all that, Rubio is good looking, talks good to-- though he needs to slow down, add some ummms and uhhhs, since we've seen how much more statesmanlike that makes the person seem and might attract the youth vote.

Hmmm. Maybe it will be a Rubio/Kasich ticket.

Birkel said...

Titus:

That job creation in California, Connecticut and Illinois is just great, right?
After all, you can never have enough service industry jobs.
If only those "religious pubes" in Texas took your advice on job creation everything would be roses, one supposes.

Take a break from your normal condescension, you bigoted piece of refuse.

David said...

AReasonableMan said...

"SC has taken one of the toughest beatings from globalization."

The population of SC has increased from 2.5 million in 1970 to 4.6 million in 2010. If you look at today's Wall Street Journal you will see that the state ranks top in the USA in jobs generated for foreign affiliated companies. Our internal in migration from elsewhere in the United States is always near the top in the United States by percentage and in the top 5-10 states by absolute numbers despite our relatively small population. In short globalization and international trade are presently providing a very large boost to South Carolina.

The state did get killed economically a few decades ago by the rapid decline in textile manufacturing. But that is the old news, which seems to be your favorite. The present economy is functioning reasonably well, and very well in some areas. The biggest problem is unevenness. Rural areas not on major transportation routes fare poorly. Black citizens do poorly by comparison, largely because we still have not overcome the educational deficiencies for that population caused by decades of segregation and discrimination. Progress in that area has been hard to come by, though finally there is a strong effort to improve.

South Carolina is a complex place still haunted by its history but it is on a good track now. It's not for nothing that we have the nation's only black senator and a daughter of Indian immigrants governor. The old days are falling away and the old stereotypes which influenced your comment have largely disappeared.

David said...

And the same to you Titus. You live in one of the wealthiest places in the world. Huge deep institutional wealth created by generations and generations. You did nothing to create that wealth. You just wandered in to enjoy it and think it makes you special.

Titus said...

Birkel how dare you? Mass economy is flying high! Cambridge, the people's republic, is swimming in money. One of the largest creative capitol's in the country. We have a black dyke mayor and are housing costs are through the roof with bidding wars!

And we are mostly atheist.

Texas is an outlier, because of Austin, which is democrats.

Take a look at the rest of the south's economy-it is a piece of shit-Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia.

And they are all last in education. Mass is first natch. A bunch of dumb fucking church hillbillies.

Even charter schools in NC perform worse than public schools-pathetic the south is-please secede.

And your accents are unforgivable...dumb fucking crackers.

The rest of us are paying for u losers.

The south are takers and the northeast are major givers to these cretins. Because talented youth come here and the west coast to flee the rednecks.

tits.

David said...

My prediction: Trump but by a smaller margin than expected. Cruz second with Rubio close behind. Nobody else moving the needle much. Trump could sink even lower if he does poorly in the western part of the state and Charleston where the foreign affiliate employers are generating so many jobs. Haley endorsement will help but unlikely to be decisive. Have to see it its the start of a trend.

Trump, Jeb, Cruz, Rubio and Katich have all been in my town in the last two days. Trump generated the most crowds. Jeb made sure to have a small venue where he could fill the place. Rubio broke a tooth eating a piece of hard candy.

Titus said...

I studied hard as a kid in Wisconsin, knowing I had to get out ASAP. I got into Harvard.

I hire people as a part of my job. I think that contributes something to the economy.

And my company is growing 20% a year. 150 new hires every hear-I will take that.

And most people posting here are old fucks who don't contribute anything to this country, other than collecting a government paycheck, with free healthcare.

Takers!

David said...

Titus said...

"And we are mostly atheist."

Yeah but your state's educational institutions and deep wealth were created by generations of devout Christians. You are feeding on what they grew for you.

Basically you are a trust fund baby, Titus. It was all laid out for you by people not unlike many you show contempt for now.

Titus said...

OK, old, fat, white, flyover taker fucks.

Got to go.

Carleton, the doorman just buzzed by Penthouse Loft (valued at 950k-1100 square feet).

My LA/Iranian Harvard Med School grindr fuck is here, wanting my cock.

Fortunately u r all dieing off-demographics suck, man.

Check the pic out in my profile-not bad, huh?

Have a super night old taker crackers, and keep reaching for the stars!

tits

machine said...

mebbe he didn't pay his bill...

Gahrie said...

A significant number of Republicans are not going to vote for Trump, they'll stay home if he's the nominee.

Not a threat, a prediction.

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rick said...

Titus said...
Fortunately u r all dieing off-demographics suck, man.


I remember when some people said this about your sort of people Titus. People thought that was pretty outrageous.

You must be proud to have turned out just like them.

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...

David said...
The old days are falling away and the old stereotypes which influenced your comment have largely disappeared.


Unlike you, apparently, I actually read that WSJ article. It pointed out that people in SC were still gun shy from the earlier, deleterious effects of globalization, which would make the state more receptive to Trump's message than might be expected, given the more positive effects in recent years. Many lives were damaged and memories are long. Given that it was the WSJ, and the fact that they hate Trump with the fire of a thousand suns, I would guess they are not overly optimistic about SC dealing Trump a poor hand this weekend.

Rick said...

Washington (CNN) Ted Cruz has inched ahead of Donald Trump in a new national poll released Wednesday,

Not sure what to think about this but it's quite the shock.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/17/politics/donald-trump-ted-cruz-poll-supreme-court/

Jupiter said...

I have to admit, Titus is easily the most attractive thing to come out of Massachusetts since Teddy Kennedy.

David said...

Yeah, ARM, some of them are gun shy from the memories. But they still like those new jobs, which are being generated by (wait for it) globalization. Although you didn't say so in your comment, I was consider that you were talking about the past, in which case your comment was correct. But the past is past, Faulkner notwithstanding. South Carolina is now well along the refreshing change to living in the present and planning for the future. The old dog learned a terrific new trick.

And yes I read the WSJ article. I just didn't try to summarize it in one misleading sentence.

Anonymous said...

Gahrie: Well, you know Trump has had an impact when they start describing Rubio as establishment. Sure Rubio is more establishment than Cruz or Trump, but let's not forget he began his career as an outsider challenging the establishment. If Trump was not in the race, rubio would definitely be considered an outsider.

Yeah, that's why the donors and their shills are so frantically pumping this nonentity now that Jeb is shown to be a hopeless non-starter. They totally want to see the structure that benefits them "challenged".

Really now, nobody writing as ridiculous a piece of pollyanna rationalizaton as this should be worrying himself about other voters' alleged refusal to face facts.

(Rubio didn't begin his career as an "outsider challenging the establishment", he began his career by play-acting as an "outsider challenging the establishment" in order to bamboozle voters, whom he betrayed as soon as he got his little puppet ass to D.C.)

Anonymous said...

Rick: Not sure what to think about this but it's quite the shock.

Bit of an outlier, though. (Scroll down to "latest polls".) They're all early days, though.

Saint Croix said...

Cruz is saying that Rubio has to win South Carolina now, after the Haley endorsement.

I'll bet Rubio has passed him in the polls. Will he overtake Trump?

Nikki would make a great veep.

Rick said...

Anglelyne said...
Bit of an outlier, though. (Scroll down to "latest polls".)


True, but Nate Silver has an interesting article up about pollsters suppressing polls outside the consensus MOE and how the practice hides movement. Maybe it's an outlier, and maybe not.

Saint Croix said...

Good article in the WaPo

Birkel said...

So Titus stuck with his condescension and group-based hatred. How entirely progressive, fascist and predictable.

Nobody cares about your sex life except you. Get some. Don't get some. We squares cannot be bothered to give a tinker's dam. The shock value is destroyed.

That said, I'm sorry your life is empty. You can try all you like to fill that gaping maw in your soul, but there's nothing you can buy or screw that will fill it. I hope one day you are not so shallow. And then perhaps you will apologize for your bigotry.

dick said...

Next POTUS will focus on jobs and WAR. Would prefer Trump or Cruz.

Mick said...

Like Haley Rubio is not eligible, so it is not surprising.

Pure logic proves that Rubio is not eligible without even defining "natural born Citizen".

1) All natural born Citizens have always been citizens upon their birth by tacit consent.

2)Rubio, if born in 1802 to resident alien parents in the US, would not have been considered a US citizen until his parents naturalized. (Naturalization Act 1802 S. 4; ""The children of persons who have been duly naturalized under any law of the United States . . . being under the age of twenty-one years at the time of the naturalization of their parents, shall, if dwelling in the United States, be considered as citizens thereof.")

NOTE: NA 1802 S. 4 applied to domestically born children of aliens. In the Congressional Globe of the 28th Congress, pg. 129, June 1845 Romulus Saunders, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee gives a synopsis of the first 50 years of Naturalization law of the Republic. In it he absolutely says that S. 4 covers the children of aliens born in the US, and those born abroad. Right hand column near the top.

https://books.google.com/books?pg=PA129&dq=congress+globe+1845&ei=VytzTfSfBoGDgAe3vfjjBw&ct=result&sqi=2&id=YWEUAAAAYAAJ&hl=en#v=onepage&q=congress%20globe%201845&f=false

Saunders, when speaking specifically about NA 1802, says "it further provides for the children of aliens, whether born within or out of the United States."

3) Marco Rubio is only considered a US Citizen "at birth" (after birth, it doesn't happen in the womb or the birth canal) today by the operation of US naturalization law.

4) Marco Rubio is naturalized

5) Marco Rubio is not a natural born Citizen

Mick said...

dick said...
"Next POTUS will focus on jobs and WAR. Would prefer Trump or Cruz."

Cruz is not an eligible natural born Citizen. This can be proven by logic, without defining natural born Citizen, and by applying US naturalization law, not opinion (such as Katyal and Clement's "Harvard Law Review nonsense, which laughably states that a defunct 1790 naturalization act, where children of 2 US citizen parents born abroad "shall be considered as" (not are) natural born Citizens could apply to Cruz.-- It is "pure applesauce" in the immortal words of Scalia)).

1) All natural born Citizens have always been citizens upon their birth by tacit consent.

2) Cruz, if born in Canada to a US citizen mother and foreign father prior to 1934, would not have been a US Citizen at all. US citizen mothers could not pass citizenship to children born abroad of foreign fathers until 1934.

(See Rogers v. Bellei regarding the child of a US citizen mother and foreign father, and born in Italy, where, "Not until 1934 would that person have had any conceivable claim to United States citizenship. For more than a century and a half no statute was of assistance. Maternal citizenship afforded no benefit. One may observe, too, that if Mr. Bellei had been born in 1933, instead of in 1939, he would have no claim even today. Montana v. Kennedy, supra." Rogers v. Bellei, 401 US 815 @ 826)

3) Ted Cruz is only considered a US citizen "at birth" (after birth, it doesn't happen in the womb or birth canal) today bu the enactment and liberalization of US naturalization law.

4) Ted Cruz is NATURALIZED.

5) Ted Cruz is not a natural born Citizen.

LOGIC DEFEATS THE LIE. How can Ted Cruz be a natural born Citizen today if he would not have even been a US citizen "at birth" if born in 1933?

DavidD said...

Tagged "Nikki Haley" and "rub".

Where's Laslo when you need him?