‘Don’t cave’ to socialism, SC’s Haley urges GOP, punching at those seeking compromise
Potential 2024 presidential hopeful Nikki Haley in a speech Wednesday punched at Republicans willing to compromise with Democrats on the economy.
Haley, South Carolina’s former governor and United Nations ambassador, accused some conservatives of “rolling over” when Democrats push ideas that have some socialist components.
“The right must recapture its passion for economic freedom,” Haley said at the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Margaret Thatcher Freedom Lecture. “It’s the only way to stop the socialist wave crashing over our country.”
Haley called 2020 the “year of socialism,” after Democrats won majorities in the U.S. House and Senate and President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump in November. Haley also called the Democratic Party a “socialist party” and accused them of “creating a country where dependence is the default.”
Specifically, Haley criticized Democrats for pushing legislation and spending plans with price tags in the trillions of dollars.
Haley accused some members of the GOP of compromising with Democrats and not taking hard capitalist stances. She said they were promoting “socialism-lite.”
Haley did not specifically name any Republicans.
“The biggest reason socialism is gaining ground is that capitalism’s defenders are too afraid to speak up,” Haley said.
Haley warned Republicans may lose elections if they offer middle-of-the-road policies, such as offering more social programs and less restrictive mandates for businesses.
“Winning elections isn’t enough,” Haley said. “Stopping the left wont matter if the right has forgotten what it stands for.”
Congress is currently considering two expensive pieces of legislation: a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill with bipartisan support and a progressive social safety net bill totaling $1.75 trillion.
The infrastructure bill passed the Senate 69-30, with 19 Republican senators in support, including South Carolina’s U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham. Senators were able to find a middle ground after taking out some of Biden’s climate change initiatives included in earlier versions of the bill.
The social spending bill has proven even more controversial, sparking infighting in the Democratic Party itself. The bill includes money for paid family leave, fighting climate change, childcare and universal pre-K, Medicare expansion and extended child tax credits.
The bill is opposed by Republicans.
Votes on both bills could come as early as this week.
Haley urged Republicans to stand strong.
“Don’t cave. Not now, not ever,” Haley said. “There’s no crying in politics.”
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 1:03 PM.
