As a proud South Carolinian, I’ve watched Haley’s career unfold. Her book, “With All Due Respect,” written a couple years ago was clearly a prelude to her presidential run. Now that she’s announced, Haley’s book stands as her most articulate pitch for why she would make a good president.
The book is well written and crisp. The title is the punch line of the book, a tidy touch. The subtitle uses alliteration, “Defending America with Grit and Grace.” On the cover Haley possess assertively with her arms crossed wearing pink against a white background – a visual personification of grit and grace. In the book, she does all the little things well.
Of all the issues and stories mentioned in her book, Haley wants readers to know eight points above all else.
1) She Had Trump’s Ear and Respect
President Trump had a great deal of confidence in Haley, at least according to her. He met her demands, let her become a cabinet member, invited her to participate in high level meetings in the oval office, and encouraged her to do things her way.
2) Haley Can Negotiate
Haley negotiated with various folks as governor, including foreign companies. As Ambassador to the United Nations, she took her game to new levels. She negotiated the Iran nuclear deal, forced dictators to capitulate to her demands, and proved to be a skilled negotiator for the United States.
3) Her Story is an American Story
Bamberg, SC isn’t breeding grounds for governors, ambassadors, and presidents. Her beginnings as a first-generation Indian American was not easy, especially in a small southern town. Her steadfast determination and courage wouldn’t have mattered in most places. Only in American could Nikki Haley work hard enough to grow up to seek the highest office in the land, and most important position in the world.
4) As Governor, She Handled Tragedy with Grace
Nikki Haley’s recounting of the horrific tragedies at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, SC demonstrates a human element to her. Nine church members were killed by an evil and confused young man. I remember it well and Haley’s handling of an awful situation was heroic. She also delt with a police shooting of an unarmed black man, a major hurricane, and raising her own kids through those trying situations.
5) She’s Tough
During Haley’s time as UN Ambassador, she stood up to Syria, Russia, and North Korea. She stared down South American dictators and negotiated with feckless enemies. She also stood up for Israel when no other nation would. During her tenure at the UN, a highlight was forcing Syria to its knees.
6) Nikki Haley is a Hard Worker
Few people are as tenacious as Haley. Her rise in politics alone demonstrates her work ethic, but the book recounts other examples as well. She studied to learn the necessary information while passing off her governorship. Later she had to become an expert on African politics in order to confront the continents worst dictators on their home court.
7) The UN Ambassadorship Prepared Her for the World Stage
Haley is well versed on international affairs because of her experience at the UN. She delt with socialism in Venezuela, negotiated trade with China, roughed up dictators in Africa, stood against Russia and Syria, enforced the Iran deal, and worked regularly with our allies across Europe and elsewhere. If she didn’t know international politics before, she’s now an expert.
8) Haley is a Patriot and Loves America
The most obvious element of Haley’s book is her love for America. It seems sincere – and not something we can take for granted given the number of people in government who loath America. She recognizes our country has not always been perfect, but she also believes the United States of America is better than any place on earth.
One Reservation
She did not state the case for the constitution, capitalism, and individual liberty as intellectually as I would expect. She believes in those things, but she spends no time explaining why. She fails to make the logical argument. To be fair, since the publication of the book, she has written in the Wall Street Journal fervent and thorough explanations for why capitalism is an indispensable American value.
Final Thoughts
Haley’s book delivers a much more authentic person than she often communicates. Having witnessed her entire carrier, I’ve heard all the “dirt” and “shortcomings” from both her friends and foes. One hit on her over the years is that Haley seems artificial, rehearsed, or even fake. As Peggy Noonan observed after Haley’s announcement, it was all too 1990s and wholly unimaginative. But that’s not what readers encounter with her book. If Haley can channel the authenticity she evoked in her book, she might stand a chance.
Reading her “With All Due Respect,” it’s hard not to see that Haley genuinely believes America is good. As Ambassador to the United Nations, she saw first-hand all the places that don’t have the freedoms we enjoy. As she closes, Haley reminds her readers: “Even on our worst days, we are blessed to live in America.”
