Nikki Haley and I dont have a lot of common ground, belief-wise.
I could skipinvading Mexico.
Im not into her idea ofraising the age for social security.
Republican presidential candidate former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in New Hampshire on January 23.
(What do you want, Nikki, DontThinkGay?)
And yet, over the course of the last several weeks, Ive been glued to Haleys campaign.
When the returns were coming in, I was rapt, authentically sad when the race was called.
I went to my kids when Haley came onstage to speak.
But I also didnt tell them to listen.
I didnt want them latching on to her ideas.
That moment encapsulates my complex feelings around Nikki Haley.
I cant play off my rooting for her as purely strategic.
I cant chalk it up to the idea that wed all be safer with Trump off the ballot.
Does that make sense?
No, I know it doesnt.
If I ever opened with that, my friends would think I had a concussion.
But I feel her just-get-it-done attitude.
I admired the way she made her concession sound like a victory speech.
Also, Nikki Haley is not an 80-year-old man.
Im not being flip.
That frustration, though, has led to revelation.
Looking at Haley, I get what men feel.
The pull of a candidate it’s possible for you to project yourself onto is strong.
Thats why I pay attention to Haley even though we share nothing values-wise.
I am under no illusion thatdespite being more moderateon abortion than her opponentsHaley is an ally.
But its still depressing to me that there will be no woman in anabortion-focused race.
And I know this isnt nuanced, but its depressing to me that Haley is the only serious contender.
(They workedso hardon those cupcakes!)
These are lizard-brain thoughts.
But Im sick of being the only one who doesnt get to use my lizard brain.
To feel some grief watching polished, prepared Nikki Haley being played off the stage.
And the grief is familiar, echoing.
This is why I cant help wanting Haley to succeed, despite our political differences.
I am surprised that I can feel it for her at all, in such a polarized time.
I want a sign that well see it someday.
