In a recent public forum, Iowa Republican presidential candidates Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis addressed a pressing question on how they would foster unity in America after years of divisive politics. Haley took the opportunity to share her experience as the former governor of South Carolina and outlined her approach to bringing people together.
Reflecting on the tragedies that struck South Carolina, including the shooting of Walter Scott and the devastating murder of nine individuals at Mother Emanuel Church, Haley emphasized the resilience of her state. She attributed this unity to her belief in serving and representing all of South Carolina, without favoring any specific group or individual. By over-communicating and sharing information, she built trust and ensured that everyone was included.
Haley's strategy for unity doesn't stop there. If elected president, she plans to begin by focusing on what she can control – the agencies under her jurisdiction. Drawing from her experience as governor, she highlighted the importance of refreshing agency leadership to bring in new perspectives and ideas. She aims to cleanse these agencies of outdated programs, regulations, and bureaucracy that hinder their effectiveness. Additionally, she intends to address any problematic individuals within these agencies.
To inspire efficiency and effectiveness, Haley intends to impose 90-day benchmarks on agencies, aiming for a measurable return on investment for taxpayers. Transparent spending will be a priority, with all expenditures made available online for public scrutiny. Furthermore, she plans to motivate agencies to give back to the taxpayers through incentives, creating a system of competition to encourage the most efficient use of funds.
Haley understands that achieving unity also requires collaboration with Congress. Drawing from her experiences in South Carolina, she aims to provide legislators with achievable victories, gradually increasing the difficulty of tasks to reengage them in a winning mindset. Rather than the blame game and finger-pointing that often defines political discourse, Haley advocates for a focus on results and serving the American people. She has a proven track record of calling out both Republicans and Democrats when necessary, using this approach as a powerful tool to inspire action and partnership.
Should Haley become president, she promises to lead by example, starting with herself and her agencies. By instilling a culture of productivity and accountability, she believes she can encourage Congress to follow suit. Haley's fundamental goal is to reintroduce a government that is focused on producing tangible outcomes and delivering for the American people.
As this presidential race progresses, voters will likely look closely at candidates' plans for fostering unity. Haley's approach, rooted in her experience as a governor and her belief in over-communication, accountability, and incentivized efficiency, offers a fresh perspective on addressing the divisive politics of the past and charting a course towards a more united America.
