Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis Bend the Knee to Donald Trump

Trump's former rivals are forced to concede that he is the man of the moment.

The Republican National Convention's theme for night two was "Make America Safe Again," focusing on the allegedly connected threats of illegal immigration and crime. But many of the speeches—particularly by a bevy of Republican Senate candidates in swing states such as Arizona, Nevada, West Virginia, and Montana—deviated significantly, instead focusing on a wide range of political issues. On the economy, on foreign policy, on cultural values, and everything else, President Joe Biden is the problem, and the only solution is former President Donald Trump.

Indeed, the real theme of the night was the surrender and subjugation of Trump's main rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination: former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. This was their opportunity to bend the knee and pledge fealty to Trump.

While DeSantis had formally endorsed Trump after dropping out of the race in January, Haley had not yet committed herself to supporting Trump. In her speech Tuesday night, she made clear that she was giving Trump her "strong endorsement."

"For the sake of our nation, we have to go with Donald Trump," she said.

Haley focused on foreign policy, articulating the hawkish views she is known for. She said that only Trump could be trusted to keep Russia at bay—a notion that puts her somewhat at odds with Trump's vice presidential pick, J.D. Vance, who opposes indefinite military aid to Ukraine. When Haley spoke, one could hear echoes of a pre-Trump version of the Republican Party; when DeSantis spoke—primarily on new culture issues, anti-wokeness, and COVID-19 tyranny—one could imagine what a post-Trump GOP might look like.

But the stark reality is that Trump will remain the gravitational center of the Republican Party and the conservative movement until he willingly exits the political arena, or dies. Haley, Vance, DeSantis, Marco Rubio, and even Vivek Ramaswamy—who remained steadfastly in support of Trump even when he was technically running against him—all represent somewhat different ideological tendencies on the right, from neoconservatism to populism to the new right. Libertarianism is sadly underrepresented among the GOP's current crop of thought leaders, but it hardly matters.

That's because policy is decidedly taking a back seat to personality. Trump is the man of the moment, and the ideology of the GOP will be whatever he says it is. Bend the knee.

Comments

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Would you say they joined the cult like your colleagues? Lol.

Getting pretty ridiculous with the takes.

Amusing use of language....

https://www.thedailybeast.com/nikki-haley-bends-the-knee-to-trump-humiliates-all-her-supporters

https://www.msnbc.com/inside-with-jen-psaki/watch/-she-chooses-to-bend-the-knee-former-trump-wh-aide-blasts-haley-decision-to-back-trump-211664453956

Good work Robbie.

[Kungpowderfinger]

Sometimes the obedient DNC faithful even copy and paste each other’s typos.

[Mother's Lament]

How come Rising Robby often sounds completely different from Reason Robby?

[Commenter_XY]

Incredible how they read from the same hymnal, word for word.

They are just tools for Team D, and for the federal government.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Yeah. I read news from both sides.

Was shocked when I saw Robbie using the exact same narrative as fucking Jen Psaki.

[Set Us Up The Chipper]

Why bring RDS into this article? Did he do something outside of the previous endorsement that required his name being used as if it was a new development?

[mad.casual]

Nikki Haley Bends the Knee to Trump, Humiliates All Her Supporters

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that a disproportionate number of supporters of Dick Cheney in 3 in. heels actually enjoyed it.

[One-Punch_Man]

As they say over at Instapundit - you cannot hate the media enough

[Wizard4169]

That's because there are only so many polite phrases for their behavior. What do you want? "Haley kisses Trump's ass" or maybe "DeSantis sucks Trump's cock"?

[Joe Jonas]

Republicans love to think for themselves by blindly following Trump and doing literally whatever he says, no questions asked. Freethinkers!!

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Says the party still supporting Biden and praises Obama to this day. Lol. Good work buddy.

[Well Adjusted Biden Guy 6/11 Banana Republic]

When have you ever said a bad word against your fucking precious Dear Leader, drone?

[Mother's Lament]

Hey Shithead. Taking a break from masquerading as me this evening?

Anyway:

Barack Obama Depicted As Jesus: ‘The Truth’ Painting

and

Scarborough: Obama came as ‘Black Jesus’

and

Celebs compare Obama to Jesus, Gandhi

and

Obama As Jesus Sculpture Causes Stir

[Mother's Lament]

But remember folks, if you think Trump's a better choice than the Democrats then 'iTs A cULt'.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Don’t forget the thrill Chris Matthews has up his leg.

[n00bdragon]

Yes. Obama worship was a cult. It was bad.

The lesson you should take from this is "cults are bad" not "we need our own cult".

[Beezard]

Anybody else remember The Obama Pledge?

[mad.casual]

I’d love to believe the cult aspersion is peak idiocy but I’m no expert on others' potential for idiocy.

The Cult that metaphorically tried to burn an 8th grader at the stake for wearing eye black to a HS football game. The Cult that has labeled people like Taibbi, Weiss, and Rogan pariahs. The Cult that has even half-observant halfwits like Bill Maher saying, “Hey, wait a minute… what are we doing?!” That Cult is saying “Yeah, I disagree with him, but he took literal fire like a champ and it’s hard not to respect that in a leader. Hard not to sympathize with his opposition to such ideology and similarly-motivated behavior.” is the cult-like behavior.

[Wizard4169]

Yeah, because anybody who doesn't suck Trump's cock must be sucking Biden's.

[Minadin]

Let's investigate as to whether that is a factually accurate assertion.
Nope.
OK then.

[JohnZ]

People following the democrat/liberal ideology are much worse. It's more of a religious cult for them ie: the religion of "woke", trans- ideology, attempting to violate the Constitution by allowing illegal aliens to vote, promoting violence and using the DOJ to target their opponents.
This is the worst I've ever witnessed in my 73 years on this planet.
It's like watching the CCP purge itself of anyone who dares oppose it.

[Ersatz]

Good point. Was just thinking of how the devotions to both sides can be thought of as cultish but your comment makes a distinction I hadnt thought of before.

I was thinking the both sides are devoted and cultish in the same way a football teams fans (or any team fans) are. They invest some of their identity and self worth in the success and identity of their team.

But I do see that although (D)s do resemble this they more resemble a religious cult in that they also invest ideas of salvation and end of the world ideas to their slavish devotion. Not just the salvation from bad policy and the ruination of a country like you could attribut to the (R)s. Its actual EOW fear and salvation thru devoting ones self to sacrifice.... of economic well being, of body parts, of fidelity to a rational view of the world.

And whereas a team fan can devote himself to team... the Ds want Jihad till the whole world becomes one with their eco, trans agenda. You must assimilate. Thats a big difference. They use agencies to force this on non-believers.

[One-Punch_Man]

Ah Joe, can you tell me where Democrats disagreed with Biden before the debate?

Can any democrat senators that have broken ranks with Biden? What about the house?

Democrats votes are sheep. Their leaders just want power.
Hey if your black and want to vote for anything the democrats don't approve you are a traitor to your race right? Seems to say black people we own you.

Democrats are so free in their thinking!

[Kungpowderfinger]

She said that only Trump could be trusted to keep Russia at bay—a notion that puts her somewhat at odds with Trump's vice presidential pick, J.D. Vance, who opposes indefinite military aid to Ukraine.

Is Reason magazine claiming Russia can only be kept at bay by indefinite military aid to the Ukraine?

For fuck’s sake guys, take the week off from politics. While you still have a shred of credibility left.

[Minadin]

I would say it's a retarded take, but there are a lot of high-functioning retards around who might not appreciate the comparison.

[CountmontyC]

Yes. The Trump Administration starved Russian revenues by implementing energy policies that kept oil prices low and since Russia relies heavily on oil revenues Russia was constrained from doing things like invading Ukraine. It was the Biden Maladministration's energy policies that raised oil prices that allowed Russia to have the financial capability to invade Ukraine. Return to the Trump Administration energy policies and Russia very well might become less aggressive. The solution isn't only a military one.
The same is true of the Middle East. Things were calm when Iran was limited financially by low oil prices and the sanctions that were imposed on them. Iran didn't have the financial resources to stir up trouble by supporting Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah but the Biden Maladministration followed energy policies that raised oil prices and waived sanctions on Iran that gave them tens of billions of dollars with which they could fund terrorism. Going back to Trump's energy policies and reimposing sanctions would limit Iran from causing trouble.
The Biden Maladministration also restored funding that Trump had cut to Hamas and the UNRWA thus allowing Hamas to once again
become aggressive in it's terrorist activities. Simply cutting US funding of terrorists would be quite helpful.
It doesn't always take a military option to limit foreign governments military excursions.

[Well Adjusted Biden Guy 6/11 Banana Republic]

The only one still standing was my choice for President—Chris Christie. The only one with any principles of the lot.

[Don't look at me!]

LOL. That’s funny stuff.

[Mother's Lament]

Chris Christie's principles were Chris Christie, and you only picked the fat clown because you wanted to pick a Republican who had zero chance of winning another election anywhere.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Christie is Jeffy’s diet guru.

[JohnZ]

LOL!
I know satire when I see it.

[AT]

Libertarianism is sadly underrepresented among the GOP's current crop of thought leaders, but it hardly matters.

Which is why you'll instead bend the knee to Tapioca Joe and the cult of wokeness, won't you Roberto.

No? You won't? Cool, I expect your next article to explain why President Elder Abuse (or his cackling retard on deck) is the best choice for all you lolertarians.

[Commenter_XY]

Libertarianism is sadly underrepresented among the GOP's current crop of thought leaders Reason's writers and editors, but it hardly matters.

Fixed this for you, Mr. Soave.

[Bill Dalasio]

It’s pretty strange that they say libertarianism isn’t represented in the GOP mix. At this point, even though he doesn’t call himself a libertarian, I’d put Vivek up against half the Reason staff on that front.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Massie, rand, freedom caucus all have shades of libertarianism, especially the first 2.

The DNC has...

Or...

I know reason loves it some Polis, but hilariously not libertarian.

[Ersatz]

And yet ready to step in to 'save the country' from Trump when they force Biden out. NY Chuck is apparently doing a drive by in an attempt to secure that outcome right now.

[Wizard4169]

Massie seems to have somehow clung to some limited government principles. Rand is one of the less terrible congresscritters, but has gone out of his way to put daylight between himself and libertarianism. "Principled holdout" is better than nothing, but neither can exactly be described as a "thought leader" in the current GOP. The Freedom Caucus has dropped any hint of libertarian principle.
As for the DNC? Yeah, they blow goat on most issues. Offering a more appealing alternative should be a complete no-brainer. Yet the best the current GOP can offer is little more than Dem-lite, with a disgusting side order of culture war. Trying to defend them as the lesser of two evils has come to sound like an explanation of why it's better to get kicked in the nuts with the right foot instead of the left.

[Wizard4169]

Man, I remember the days when libertarianism wasn't sadly underrepresented in the Reason comments.

[Bill Dalasio]

You guys are embarrassing yourselves. Party candidates rally around the winner of their party’s nomination. There’s nothing unusual or noteworthy in that. Hell, y’all have been claiming the Libertarian Party is in “disarray” because some party members aren’t doing that with respect to Chase Oliver.

[MasterThief]

It is a dumb take to say party members did what was expected of them. There would be a better case to criticize Bernie and other dem candidates endorsing Biden after the party shafted them.
Why wouldn't Desantis support Trump? They are aligned on most issues and he was seen as the presumptive heir to MAGA. It was his dumbfuck campaign staff driving a wedge.
Haley is a legit example of partisan bs. On her biggest concerns she sides with Trump over Biden maybe 60-40. Hers is cynical support to maintain position in the party

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Haley eben said in her speech she doesn't agree with him 100%

This us like them complaining the union spoke at the convention. Apparently speaking at the convention means cult like worship.

I'm actually shocked to see the RNC try to expand their tent. But I know the left is freaking out about it especially with minority communities.

Reason complaining about Amber Rose and the union boss was peak DNC worry and Reason followed suit.

[One-Punch_Man]

Amber Rose, lots of Republicatians didn't want her to talk originally. Now, they are impressed. Like you said the union boss.

When was the last time the Democrats had someone not deep in their party talk?

Funny, Robby doesn't complain about Hollywood talking just other people..

[JohnZ]

Personally I wouldn't trust Nimrata Randhawa aka Nicki Haley at all. I don't like her foreign policies and she talks out of both corners of her mouth.
Of course I don't support Washington's foreign policies at all, especially concerning the Ukraine and Russia. In truth Washington's foreign policies have been disasters since the invasion of Cuba. One calamity after another.
By all means don't stop until the blowback hurts all Americans.

[Ersatz]

She would have adequate SCOTUS pics … better than a D prez. She would be Bush 2.0… or something like that – ruled by the deep state and allowed to wander on policy that is not of concern to said deep state. Just like all the other presidents after Nixon.
…save (probably) Trump… because you cant ‘make’ that guy do anything he doesnt want to do, you can only try to pursuade him.

[Wizard4169]

The DC blob very quickly learned to lead Trump around by the nose. A little strategic ass kissing is all it takes when dealing with someone with little in the way of principles or coherent ideas.

[Ben of Houston]

What I find odd is the extreme language and framing for a standard primary situation. Indeed, they accepted the will of the voters. Isn't that a good thing?

It's not like there was a backroom deal like in the DNC in 2020, or superdelegates overwriting the will of voters to put Clinton instead of Bernie. There are no grounds for a chip on their shoulders. Why shouldn't Haley and Desantis say "the people have spoken"? Would rejecting the vote somehow be admirable when it's for your preferred side?

[mad.casual]

[n00bdragon]

"Accepting the will of voters" only makes sense if you agree with what those voters want. Would you "accept the will of voters" in say... San Francisco or Portland and play the part of a liberal clown because that's what the voters want? If someone is willing to change the things they believe in in order to get your vote, why would you trust them to fight for what you want? Follow that if you want, but it'll end the same way these things always do.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

If someone is willing to change the things they believe in in order to get your vote, why would you trust them to fight for what you want?

Gee, I don't know, maybe because if they're willing to compromise on those things, they don't actually believe in them? Haley might talk a good game about abortion, for example, but she's already on record stating that the GOP should simply figure out what Democrats are willing to give them. That means she's not really anti-abortion. Same with Kevin Williamson, who said abortion was an "absolute evil," then immediately contradicted himself and stated that the right didn't need to be dogmatic about it.

People don't compromise on their actual principles. If you want to see where their principles lie, watch what they won't actually compromise on. That's why the left ends up winning so many political battles--and in cases like gun rights, it's been because the GOP won't compromise with them.

[One-Punch_Man]

You are saying Newsom overriding the will of the votes in CA is a good thing?

How says Haley changed? It could just be Biden vs Trump. She doesn't like either but trusts/prefer Trump more

[mad.casual]

Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis Bend the Knee to Donald Trump

Failing to scream at people, label them pariahs, and excommunicate them from your socio-political group on sight makes you a cult.

Coming together despite your differences and supporting someone you generally agree with in opposition to the totally-not-a-cult kind of people who literally took a shot at him is bending the knee.

Also, media inverts the horizon such that up is down and reverses chemistry such that adding water makes things more dry. They aren’t a cult. It’s the large but not-diverse-in-the-right-way group people who oppose them who are a cult.

[Ersatz]

^this^

[One-Punch_Man]

Shh, Reason writers can't handle Reason

[mad.casual]

Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis Bend the Knee to Donald Trump

Joe Biden Gets So Dementia-addled And Incoherent That Devout Cultists And Media Personalities Begin Averting Their Gaze And Whispering To Each Other Wondering Why They've Been Bending The Knee For 4 Years And No One Told Them Not To

[n00bdragon]

They weren't forced to. They chose to for the same reason Vance did: Because like all political critters, they have no principles and crave power, and the top clown is very open about handing out ranks in his new circus based on how deep you swallow.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

Cope, seethe, and dilate.

[Uomo Del Ghiaccio]

If one believes the common narrative that there are only two choices for president, then there really isn't a choice. Trump is clearly a better choice than Biden. This does not mean that Trump is a good choice and personally I believe that he is a bad choice, but relative to Biden, Trump is a far better choice or our two crappy choices.

Now factor in the two VPs into the equation. JD Vance is a far better choice than Kamala Harris is. Of the 4 candidates (Trump Vance, Biden, and Harris), JD Vance is the best choice, followed by Trump, then Kamala and lastly Biden.

This all being said, I will not be voting for Trump and will exercise my right to vote for a 3rd party or independent candidate. I have not decided exactly who and have no delusions that the candidate that I eventually choose would win.

[Ersatz]

I'm curious... he can rationally be considered a worse choice than others that could have been put forward. That I can easily see. What makes him an actively bad choice for you?

[TrickyVic (old school)]

Those running in the primary almost always fall in line for whomever gets the nomination. It's as common as water.

Look at what Harris was calling Biden during the 2020 primary.

[VinniUSMC (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

Oh no, Robby has a sad. I can't wait to watch how nobody in at the DNC endorses whoever their candidate is. Surely they will all disavow their party's candidate? Right?

[Gaear Grimsrud]

Personally I'd rather not see Hayley endorse Trump. I understand that Reason is bereaved at the loss of the old neocon GOP but endless war just isn't that popular anymore. Maybe you should pull out some old John McCain speeches Robbie and relive the glory days. You'll feel better.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

Haley’s smart enough to realize that she doesn’t have the same inherent advantages of political privilege like Liz Cheney. She can’t afford to burn her bridges in the GOP, because she doesn’t have the same K Street connections through Daddy that Liz had to fall back on.

She either moves up in the political world or moves out, and she’s not going to move up without going along with the party agenda. The Goldbergites who are her main constituency are a niche group of the GOP now, and she can’t become President being a NeverTrumper like those idiots, who stupidly believe there’s this mass centrist movement just waiting for some dumb “unity” ticket between neocons and Democrats to boot populism from the GOP, so they can take over again like they did after Reagan’s term ended.

[Uncle Jay]

"Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis Bend the Knee to Donald Trump."

It reminds me when Biden bent his knee to China, the Ukraine and Iran.

[Fetterman's Hump]

I will be glad when this election is over.

[CE]

Those Cabinet posts aren't going to fill themselves.

[One-Punch_Man]

All these TDS articles. Robby, where is the article discussing Biden being nominated virtually and the big push?

Oh wait, it's a D that's why

[Vondy]

The headline is weasely, pejorative, and ridiculous.

You are either in the party, or you aren't.

In our two-party system, you have no political future on the outside.

Both have ambitions.

He won, they didn't.

What else would they do?