# Nikki Haley now backed by Koch Bros. APA political organization. Impact on GOP race? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 29, 2023, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828 "2023-11-29T00:22:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/81 "2023-12-01T21:19:04Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > 2 things about Haley are obvious: > > 1. She is an obsequious climber. Of course she’ll accept the highest position she’s offered. > 2. She has no real chance of beating Trump in the Republican primary. Nobody does. > > However, Haley seems strong enough to weaken Trump in the primary fight. I believe this is her actual strategy (as it often is for many primary challengers), essentially to put up enough of a fight to extort a plum job from the front-runner. Remember, there is a small but reasonable chance that trump wont be able to run. He could be dead, poor health, or in prison. And we can hope that at least the last thing occurs. Haley is smart- this will make her the heir apparent if something happens to trump. And IMHO, she is way better than DeSantis. She seems sane even. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/82 "2023-12-01T22:19:37Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Remember, there is a small but reasonable chance that trump wont be able to run. He could be dead, poor health, or in prison. And we can hope that at least the last thing occurs. > > Haley is smart- this will make her the heir apparent if something happens to trump. Or establish her as the GOP front-runner in '28 if Trump gets the nomination and loses to Biden again. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/83 "2023-12-01T22:29:34Z")
I can’t imagine the GOP electing a president who is a woman, much less one of Sikh ancestry rather than white Christian ancestry. It’d be fine with me, but I don’t think it’d be fine with the GOP. In fact, I view Trumpism as originating in response to a president whose ancestry was only half white. The old Confederacy still explains us too much. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/84 "2023-12-01T22:37:01Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > The old Confederacy still explains us too much. There is certainly a lot of “Lost Cause” undertones to the MAGA movement. Having the token ‘ethnic’ figure (see Ben Carson) is useful in the effort to provide a putative smokescreen for the bigotry. Of course, Haley did manage to get elected as Governor of South Carolina twice, so she’s clearly deft at navigating that minefield. Fascist movements don’t really have a core ideology or even a strong set of beliefs, and I could see the GOP convincing all but its most white nationalist followers to elect a sufficiently ‘Christianized’ Haley. But this is all academic; Haley is not going to tie her horse to someone as nakedly authoritarian as Trump, and Trump isn’t going to accept a running mate who isn’t lovingly gazing upon his every incoherent sentence fragment that he can manage to blurge out or who will upstage him in any way. Nor is Haley likely to upset the Republican primary unless Trump faceplants into a bucket of KFC with a massive coronary. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/85 "2023-12-02T01:06:17Z")
I think Haley is ambitious enough to want to be Presudent someday. While qualified to be veep there is a very significant chance doing so for Trump would threaten that future opportunity. Of course time will tell. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/86 "2023-12-02T01:08:55Z")
Well, it certainly helped Jeb Bush. /s 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/87 "2023-12-02T01:32:22Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Haley is not going to tie her horse to someone as nakedly authoritarian as Trump Didn’t she work for him previously? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/88 "2023-12-02T02:12:36Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > I think Haley is ambitious enough to want to be Presudent someday. While qualified to be veep there is a very significant chance doing so for Trump would threaten that future opportunity. Unless she figures the odds are good that he’ll kick the bucket while in office and she becomes President. Heck, if he does it late enough in his term she’d get to seek two terms of her own. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/89 "2023-12-02T02:18:02Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Didn’t she work for him previously? She was appointed US Ambassador to the United States, which was obviously a political fop, but she resigned in December 2018 after scandals were mounting. The problem with the MAGA movement and being associated with Trump is that it will die with him, and Haley is smart enough to want to be seen as a separate presence rather than trying to opportunistically trying to ride Trump’s coattails. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/90 "2023-12-02T03:38:01Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > She was appointed US Ambassador to the United States This is just a minor typo, but for our non-US dopers she was US Ambassador to the United _Nations_. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/91 "2023-12-02T03:49:51Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > This is just a minor typo, but for our non-US dopers she was US Ambassador to the United _Nations_. Heh…Yes, that’s correct. Although I’m increasingly convinced that we actually need a government representative who is an ambassador to the American public to explain what the government is actually doing. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/92 "2023-12-02T04:08:10Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > The problem with the MAGA movement and being associated with Trump is that it will die with him, and Haley is smart enough to want to be seen as a separate presence rather than trying to opportunistically trying to ride Trump’s coattails. In the broad sweep of American history, nativist movements eventually die out, or at least die down. But predicting when it will happen is impossible. What we do know is that fifteen vice-presidents subsequently became president, six by election. Much better odds than for former governors. No matter what she does, Haley probably will never be president. But she will reasonably think her chances better as having been veep. The fact that she would only have to serve four years is another attraction. (I take Trump’s president for life threats seriously, but she will not.) As for Trump not wanting her due to disloyalty, every possible choice has shown at least a touch of disloyalty. Donald will correctly think governor is the best background for VP, just like last time. And he needs someone who appeals to centrist moms. The one he knows best is probably Sanders. But the Indian angle has that own-the-libs appeal. So he will pick Sanders or Haley. As always, I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/93 "2023-12-02T09:12:13Z")
I cannot agree. This is a guy whose skin got _thinner_ with political experience. Every political attack he takes as a personal affront. This is not the guy who will laugh off jibes about “hamberders and cofveve” and embrace the concept of Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows, _a la_ Reagan and Papa Bush. ---
**Author:** ![Premislaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f0a364/32.png) [@Premislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Premislaus)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2023, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/94 "2023-12-05T21:11:49Z")
> Ewa Kopacz (Poland) Ewa Kopacz was not the first women prime minister of Poland. That was Hanna Suchocka in 1992-1993 (though she indeed lead a center-right coalition). ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/95 "2023-12-07T15:48:54Z")
Did anyone watch the latest debate? Allegedly Vivek went after her again, which is unsurprising. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/96 "2023-12-07T16:24:10Z")
I did see a clip of Christie calling Vivek the most obnoxious blowhard in America which seems to be spot on. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/97 "2023-12-07T16:30:53Z")
I only saw a couple of clips, including the “blowhard” moment. The other one was DeSantis trying to tag Haley as beholden to donors, and she slapped him down hard with “you’re just jealous” 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/98 "2023-12-07T16:32:02Z")
Nikki Haley is my favorite amongst a fairly weak crop of candidates. The way I see it, there are three motivations for the Republican candidates: To be the second in line in case Trump can’t run due to illness or jail, or to really shoot for a vice presidential pick, or innthe case of Christie at least, to get in as many shots at Trump before inevitably leavingnthe race. Nikki Haley has positioned herself to be the front-runner if Trump isn’t there. She’s probably got a decent shot at VP if he does. She is one of the few people to come out of the last Trump administration with her reputation intact and without making an enemy of Trump or the right or the left. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/99 "2023-12-07T16:33:09Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Christie calling Vivek the most obnoxious blowhard in America And, boy, he would know. Hey, at least Chris seems to be enjoying this whole thing, which is better than you can say for RonDee. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828/100 "2023-12-07T16:35:41Z")
Ha…yes, indeed! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikki-haley-now-backed-by-koch-bros-apa-political-organization-impact-on-gop-race/993828.md?page=6)