Nikki Haley's "s" word

Thought for the day

Last night, during the Republican presidential debate, Vivek Ramaswamy attacked Nikki Haley for allowing her daughter to use the Tik Tok app.  Taking the liberty of paraphrasing here, Haley's response — which was loud enough for all to hear — initially was akin to, "Shut your trap."  Then, in an unscripted moment, she whispered, "You're just scum."  

My guess is that four-letter word has been Googled millions of times since last night. Had the former South Carolina governor said, "You're a fool, brat, or toad," I doubt people would be talking much about her reply today.  But she said, "scum."  Isn’t that the equivalent of saying the "d" word in a high school locker room?

Words matter.  Especially in a presidential debate.  Remember when Ronald Reagan said this about Walter Mondale in 1984:  "I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience."  Or when Lloyd Bentsen looked at Dan Quayle and said this in 1988:  "Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

You undoubtedly have heard the phrase, "The shot heard 'round the world."  My guess is Nikki Haley's four-letter word last night will be repeated a million times between now and Iowa's GOP caucus this coming January.  Come to think of it, look for her "s" word to be repeated on every late night program this evening and on SNL this Saturday.

-DF