Be careful, mid-to-upper septuagenarians. Newly minted GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley has questions on your psychological acuity!
The South Carolina governor and former U.N. ambassador formally launched her marketing campaign Wednesday with, amongst different issues, a name for “obligatory psychological competency assessments for politicians over 75 years previous.”
That line was certainly aimed toward pleasing Republicans who’ve satisfied themselves that 80-year-old President Joe Biden is senile (whereas additionally being a devious prison and an omnipotent leftist singlehandedly remodeling America right into a socialist hellscape). Nevertheless it was additionally a shot at 76-year-old former President Donald Trump, a candidate as properly, and at a large swath of the GOP’s most dependable base of voters.
Former U.N. Ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley speaks throughout an occasion sponsored by Turning Level USA at Clemson College, on Nov. 29, 2022, in Clemson, S.C.
A Pew Analysis Middle examine of the 2020 presidential election discovered voters ages 75 to 92 had been the one ones who clearly favored Trump over Biden, by 58% to 42%.
As a liberal, I can see why you would possibly wish to verify the psychological competency of anybody who supported Trump, however from a strategic viewpoint, launching your Republican marketing campaign with a heavy dose of ageism appears unwise.
Haley 2024 – Unwise!
After all “Unwise!” could as properly be Haley’s marketing campaign slogan, given {that a} new Reuters/Ipsos ballot confirmed she’s supported by a non-whopping 4% of registered Republicans. And that was earlier than she steered folks of their mid-70s may be incompetent.
Former President Donald Trump would additionally meet Nikki Haley’s standards for “wants psychological competency check.”
In her speech, Haley referred to as for “a brand new era of management” whereas reciting what appeared like an “Each Republican Speaking Level From The Final 40 Years” Mad Lib.
The South Carolina governor and GOP presidential candidate declares racism over!
The primary lady of shade to run for the Republican presidential nomination, Haley declared America is “not a racist nation.” As she was saying that Wednesday, a white man in Buffalo was being sentenced to life in jail for killing 10 folks in a racist mass taking pictures, admitting through the sentencing: “I shot and killed folks as a result of they had been Black.”
Story continues
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks throughout a safety council assembly concerning the escalating tensions between the Ukraine and Russia at United Nations headquarters, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.
Between that, an increase in anti-semitism and the truth that, in response to Gallup polling, 64% of People “consider racism towards Black folks is widespread” in the USA, I’d say the jury’s nonetheless out on that complete “racist nation” factor.
Hello, I am Nikki Haley, and I am not previous like some folks
However setting all stump-speech pablum apart, Haley made clear she’s going to leverage her age for benefit within the major race. At 51, she’s 24 years away from requiring the form of psychological competency check she steered, a truth I’m certain will weigh closely on the minds of voters who assume the typical 75-year-old must be set adrift on an ice floe.
You’ll be able to see the political adverts now: “Hello, I’m Nikki Haley. Are you prepared for a brand new era of management? Do you assume politicians like Joe Biden and my former boss who I’d by no means insult, Donald Trump, must be despatched upstate to farm pancakes and catch butterflies? Would you like a president who has the heart to look your pop-pop or mee-maw within the eyes and say, ‘You’ve reached an arbitrary age, so I not assume your mind works proper’? If that’s the case, and in case you are underneath the age of 75, I’m asking in your vote.”
I can nearly really feel the Haley-mentum already. (For those who’re over 75 and never feeling the Haley-mentum, please instantly get a psychological competency check.)
Comply with USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Twitter @RexHuppke and Fb fb.com/RexIsAJerk.
Extra from Rex Huppke:
Monday after the Tremendous Bowl must be a nationwide vacation of relaxation, disgrace and remorse
‘Darkish Brandon’ reveals up at State of the Union, mops the ground with misplaced Republicans
USA TODAY meals drive donates almost 670,000 meals, columnist declares self ‘superior’
You’ll be able to learn numerous opinions from our Board of Contributors and different writers on the Opinion entrance web page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our day by day Opinion publication. To answer a column, submit a remark to [email protected]
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Nikki Haley formally launches GOP presidential marketing campaign