Earlier comment about a Trump-Haley ticket was after reading Jonathan V Last in The Atlantic, not Jonathan “Fast”. Poor with keyboard! Anyway Ms. Haley is an apologist for Trump and would be a disaster. I cannot fathom why any moderate or independent would consider her ....
Haley was opposed to same-sex marriage. As Governor, she signed a 20-week abortion ban. So, dear friends, a vote for Haley is not for a ‘Bob Ray moderate.’
Not sure what you're saying here - for a pro-life Republican, a 20-week abortion limit is super liberal. More abortions than what Europe has. Obama and Biden were opposed to same-sex marriage, as, I would bet, Governor Ray was as well. So I don't get it.
Ms. Gammock: You nail it on every point. I recently railed a bit on Dave Yepsen talkinig about “Bob Ray Republicans” coming out of Haley. Sorry—very sorry, really—but that’s an extinct electoral species, with only scattered individuals still roaming in the political wilderness.
Julie, I think the right response to your post is “ you go girl!” I am not completely sure I can say that as a white male but the sentiment is there even if it is politically incorrect today.
And I’m the lucky guy who Julie Gammack puts up with (most of the time). Her rebuttal to my screed about caucusing in sport of Nikki reminds me of my time as a pledge to my fraternity when we lined up for an old fashioned paddeling to which we were required to shout out: “Thank you sir! May I have another!”
Electronic applause Julie. Fortunate to be home today and read all of the discussion regarding caucus choices. I prefer to cast my vote for someone versus against someone. My next excitement for today will be watching Kim Reynolds expound on how great she and her friends are making Iowa. Her open budget forum last week has a shameful sham. Thanks for this forum. Stay safe and think about what is at stake in the 2024 election.
And BTW, I love Chuck Offenburger, always have, always will. He's a treasure for Iowa. I applaud his courage but I simply disagree with him on this one, and that's okay!
Thank you Julie for this clear, well thought out response to Richard's column. For me, this election more than any other in my life time, will matter to my life, my family and friends' lives, and to the state of the world. Can we keep our democracy? This isn't an election where Robert Ray and Tom Harkin are on the ballot or awaiting election results in Congress. This isn't a vote between a Republican and a Democrat, with expectations of a peaceful transition of power. This is a vote about democracy or autocracy. Misinformation is everywhere. The story about the fear of putting up yard signs says it all.
Well said, Julie. I've hesitated to weigh on Chuck's Sunday column. But since it raised a much bigger ruckus than I thought possible....well, here goes. Why I can't support Nikki Haley?
1. Politics is largely calculations. Always. But this?"Rightly or wrongly, chaos follows Donald Trump." Really? Jan. 6th was more than "chaos." Attempting to bribe a foreign government for political gain is more than "chaos." Taking massive commercial payments from China and others while in the White House is more than "chaos." Attempting to place false electors in swing states is more than "chaos." Publicly shaming a disabled person is more than "chaos." You get my point. If Haley can't be more direct and honest about something the entire world already knows, why should she deserve my vote?
2. A woman attempting to portray herself as both anti-abortion and pro-choice at the same time just ain't cuttin' it, not in today's obvious political climate. If there ever was an issue and a time when it should be easy to display one's true convictions.... And I shouldn't even be commenting on this one.
3. If she doesn't win the nomination, she'll support the guy who tried to overthrow our government? For me, this is really a big one.
4. She is clearly tainted by a party that has gone off the rails over the course of the last decade. That chaos she likes to refer too? Do we really need a reminder of where a lot of that chaos has originated from? I mean this started long before Donald Trump ever put his name in the ring. The current Democratic party most certainly has it's 'uuuge" problems. But at least they are getting s..t done.
I agree with Chuck completely in that we are long overdue for a woman and a younger one at that. But Nikki Haley? It makes me laugh when I see some say we shouldn't settle for our current choices. Yep. I get it. But America shouldn't settle for a Nikki Haley either. I remain hopeful we are better than that.
Earlier comment about a Trump-Haley ticket was after reading Jonathan V Last in The Atlantic, not Jonathan “Fast”. Poor with keyboard! Anyway Ms. Haley is an apologist for Trump and would be a disaster. I cannot fathom why any moderate or independent would consider her ....
Haley was opposed to same-sex marriage. As Governor, she signed a 20-week abortion ban. So, dear friends, a vote for Haley is not for a ‘Bob Ray moderate.’
Not sure what you're saying here - for a pro-life Republican, a 20-week abortion limit is super liberal. More abortions than what Europe has. Obama and Biden were opposed to same-sex marriage, as, I would bet, Governor Ray was as well. So I don't get it.
Love both Richard and Julie's comments.
This is spot on! Thanks Julie!
Ms. Gammock: You nail it on every point. I recently railed a bit on Dave Yepsen talkinig about “Bob Ray Republicans” coming out of Haley. Sorry—very sorry, really—but that’s an extinct electoral species, with only scattered individuals still roaming in the political wilderness.
Thanks, Stephen!
Julie, I think the right response to your post is “ you go girl!” I am not completely sure I can say that as a white male but the sentiment is there even if it is politically incorrect today.
;)
A low bar, indeed. Nice column, Julie.
Big thanks Julie
Correct, there are no "Bob Ray Republicans" left in that party. Trying to find one is a pipe dream.
And I’m the lucky guy who Julie Gammack puts up with (most of the time). Her rebuttal to my screed about caucusing in sport of Nikki reminds me of my time as a pledge to my fraternity when we lined up for an old fashioned paddeling to which we were required to shout out: “Thank you sir! May I have another!”
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 applause and 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 thank you for these words, and this conversation!
Electronic applause Julie. Fortunate to be home today and read all of the discussion regarding caucus choices. I prefer to cast my vote for someone versus against someone. My next excitement for today will be watching Kim Reynolds expound on how great she and her friends are making Iowa. Her open budget forum last week has a shameful sham. Thanks for this forum. Stay safe and think about what is at stake in the 2024 election.
I'm with you, Julie!
And BTW, I love Chuck Offenburger, always have, always will. He's a treasure for Iowa. I applaud his courage but I simply disagree with him on this one, and that's okay!
Thank you Julie for this clear, well thought out response to Richard's column. For me, this election more than any other in my life time, will matter to my life, my family and friends' lives, and to the state of the world. Can we keep our democracy? This isn't an election where Robert Ray and Tom Harkin are on the ballot or awaiting election results in Congress. This isn't a vote between a Republican and a Democrat, with expectations of a peaceful transition of power. This is a vote about democracy or autocracy. Misinformation is everywhere. The story about the fear of putting up yard signs says it all.
Bring on the yard signs.
Well said, Julie. I've hesitated to weigh on Chuck's Sunday column. But since it raised a much bigger ruckus than I thought possible....well, here goes. Why I can't support Nikki Haley?
1. Politics is largely calculations. Always. But this?"Rightly or wrongly, chaos follows Donald Trump." Really? Jan. 6th was more than "chaos." Attempting to bribe a foreign government for political gain is more than "chaos." Taking massive commercial payments from China and others while in the White House is more than "chaos." Attempting to place false electors in swing states is more than "chaos." Publicly shaming a disabled person is more than "chaos." You get my point. If Haley can't be more direct and honest about something the entire world already knows, why should she deserve my vote?
2. A woman attempting to portray herself as both anti-abortion and pro-choice at the same time just ain't cuttin' it, not in today's obvious political climate. If there ever was an issue and a time when it should be easy to display one's true convictions.... And I shouldn't even be commenting on this one.
3. If she doesn't win the nomination, she'll support the guy who tried to overthrow our government? For me, this is really a big one.
4. She is clearly tainted by a party that has gone off the rails over the course of the last decade. That chaos she likes to refer too? Do we really need a reminder of where a lot of that chaos has originated from? I mean this started long before Donald Trump ever put his name in the ring. The current Democratic party most certainly has it's 'uuuge" problems. But at least they are getting s..t done.
I agree with Chuck completely in that we are long overdue for a woman and a younger one at that. But Nikki Haley? It makes me laugh when I see some say we shouldn't settle for our current choices. Yep. I get it. But America shouldn't settle for a Nikki Haley either. I remain hopeful we are better than that.
Well said!