Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina and United Nations ambassador, has adopted a campaign strategy that stands out from traditional political rhetoric. Today, I delve into Haley’s unique stance on gender and identity politics, exploring the reasons behind her approach and the criticisms it has sparked nationally and here on campus.
Amelia Bonjour, former Vice President of Leading Women of Tomorrow at FSU, states, “Haley’s position on identity politics is unique in America’s political sphere. It’s refreshing to see a candidate focus solely on their platform without bringing other factors into the campaign.”
Shattering Expectations
Haley proudly identifies as the daughter of Indian immigrants, and her campaign message emphasizes the need for a fresh generation of leaders. What sets her apart is her deliberate choice not to make her gender the central theme of her campaign. Unlike other female candidates who sought office, Haley doesn’t lead with her gender identity. Since the start of her presidential campaign, Haley has not made regular references to her gender identity. She does play Sheryl Crow’s “Woman in the White House” prior to Town Halls in a playlist with many other songs but does not make an overt gesture about it. The other references are usually just quotes from other prominent women, for example, quoting Margaret Thatcher on the Republican debate stage.
I speculate that Haley doesn’t feel the need to talk about being a woman running for presidential office or catering to identity politics in her campaign because it is already obvious. She presents as a woman with long hair, a dress, makeup, a high voice, etc. She cannot and does not stop being a woman running for office just because she’s not talking about it.
In a recent interview on the podcast Honesty with Bari Weiss, Haley said what she is doing is not “identity politics; it’s just loving who you are. I love being a woman. I love my heritage. I love how I was raised, and I love how it has made me who I am today.”
This revelation highlights Haley’s belief in the power of women in politics while simultaneously emphasizing her unique approach of not making her campaign rely on identity-based politics. Instead, Haley’s approach centers on substantive issues. She tackles critical matters such as the economy, healthcare, and education, demonstrating a dedication to addressing real problems that affect people’s lives. Although Haley seems to not discuss her gender unless asked first, she has never shied away from women’s issues. She talks about being a mother when discussing parenting issues, the same way a father in politics might. She has made several clear stances on abortion, gender-based violence, and more.
A Surprising source of inspiration
In a surprising twist, Haley credits Hillary Clinton as a source of inspiration for her entry into politics, despite Clinton’s campaign having gender at the forefront. It was common to hear, “If you’re feminist, you’ll vote for the woman” in the 2016 presidential election. According to TIME, Haley recounts attending a leadership institute at Birmingham University where Clinton served as the keynote speaker. Clinton’s message struck a chord with Haley, as she shared, “There will be everybody that tells you why you shouldn’t, but that’s all the reasons why we need you to do it, and I walked out of there thinking, ‘That’s it. I’m running for office.'” However, Haley does not share much else in common with Clinton’s campaign besides being of the same sex. Haley does not wish to engage in “woke, self-loathing” identity politics because she does not believe there are any glass ceilings to limit women.
Why should women voters at fsu care?
Nikki Haley’s unique approach to gender and identity politics sparks essential conversations. For women voters, it raises questions about how gender should be addressed in politics. Her strategy challenges the idea that women candidates must always foreground their gender to succeed. It also encourages discussions about the barriers women face in politics and whether identity politics is the most effective way to address them. According to CNN, “When Nikki Haley took the Republican presidential debate stage alongside her seven male rivals last month, she shone a spotlight on her gender only once.”
What do women voters at fsu have to say?
Here at FSU, which is known for its diverse opinions and vibrant student body, reactions to Haley’s campaign strategy have been varied. Elisabeth Schumm, a graduate student at FSU, admires Haley’s approach: “I think that it’s a good strategy tactic that makes her seem approachable to a female demographic, but also keeps her relatable to people outside of that identity.”
I interviewed 35 women from eight different academic colleges who attend Florida State University. Of these women, 80.3 percent said they felt positive about Haley’s decision to not rely on identity politics. Haylie Savarese, a sophomore at FSU, stated, “I think it makes her sound like a better candidate. People should focus more on her accomplishments and merit than on being a woman. It feels feminist.”
However, not all students share the same view. Lauren Sparling, a fourth-year Marketing and Digital Media Productions student, believes that Haley’s strategy has its downsides, saying, “I understand both sides of Nikki Haley’s strategy. On one hand, she doesn’t want to draw attention to her womanhood so she can seem more relatable to all groups and less “woke” to try to use her gender as political pandering. This may be ideal for some voters or groups, but I personally think our backgrounds and identities are tools to shape our lives, not things we should feel we have to minimize.”
As the 2024 campaign continues, Nikki Haley’s strategy will undoubtedly be a topic of debate.
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