South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley finds herself in the unenviable position of having just delivered the dreaded (and perhaps cursed?) Republican response to President Obama’s seventh, and final State of the Union address. While by nearly all measures she outperformed her predecessors, Haley has come under withering criticism from the most conservative voices in her party the morning after — voices like commentator Ann Coulter’s who demanded the rising GOP star and daughter of Indian immigrants be deported.
Coulter, who dismissed Haley’s move to remove the confederate flag from the capitol state grounds last summer, arguing that “she’s an immigrant and does not understand America’s history,” continued her attacks on the Republican governor and her heritage after Haley aimed significant portions of her response speech at criticizing growing anti-immigrant sentiments within the GOP base.
When Haley recited lines like, “during anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation,” she was implicitly taking a swipe at GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, as she confirmed to NBC News this morning: “Mr. Trump has definitely contributed to what I believe is irresponsible talk.”
Trump enthusiasts and right-wing conservatives, of course, were none too pleased with Haley’s pile-on after President Obama devoted significant portions of his final address to push-back against Trump’s brand of xenophobia:
Trump should deport Nikki Haley.
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 13, 2016
Nikki Haley says "welcoming properly vetted legal immigrants, regardless of religion." Translation: let in all the Muslims.
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 13, 2016
Obama & Haley shd have jappeared together in new spirit of bipartisanship to offer a joint rebuttal to @realDonaldTrump & @tedcruz
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) January 13, 2016
Too bad @NikkiHaley missed her oppty to stand w/ working ppl who want borders enforced, American workers put first, govt shrunk.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) January 13, 2016
The Haley speech was an echo of GWB, Jeb, Lindsey Graham-style Republicanism. We'll see how popular these views are as primaries begin.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) January 13, 2016
The Bipartisan Establishment Speaks: More ppl today praising the @Nikki Haley #SOTU rebuttal incl David Axelrod & Jeb Bush.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) January 13, 2016
Everything wrong with GOP #SOTU response in 4 words: Nikki Haley tells Americans tired of being ignored to "turn down the volume."
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) January 13, 2016
The one thing I like about Trump is what Haley didn't do: Call out the media. https://t.co/Dt7zu2VZsX
— Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) January 13, 2016
But Haley did receive the support of Party leaders like House Speaker Paul Ryan, whom she confirmed approved of the speech before its delivery:
Proud of my friend @nikkihaley for delivering a positive & uplifting response to Pres. Obama’s #SOTU. Clear vision for a brighter future.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) January 13, 2016
Great job @nikkihaley ! Fantastic balance and substance. Our party is the new, young and diverse party.
— Reince Priebus (@Reince) January 13, 2016
