The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com.
Dustin Smiley of Bangor is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. His views are expressly his own.
Last week, Donald Trump mocked a South Carolina National Guardsman, the husband of Nikki Haley, suggesting the soldier abandoned his wife during her bid for the Republican presidential nomination. In truth, Maj. Michael Haley is deployed overseas.
As a veteran, I know firsthand the sacrifice our military makes when forced to leave their families. A former commander in chief should recognize this, too, even in a political opponent.
The inability of Trump to do so is another disturbing example of his disrespect for those who serve. He has expressed similar contempt for prisoners of war, those laid to rest in military cemeteries, Gold Star families and the military officials who served in his administration.
More disheartening than Trump’s behavior, however, is the continued support he receives despite it. Many Republican officials stand behind him as he attacks the very principles they previously held dear. Trump scoffs at important parts of the Constitution that the Republican Party has always considered the foundation of our country. He refuses to allow compromise that achieves what’s best for America if it doesn’t give him a win.
Trump’s reversal of opinion on Gen. James Mattis, his first selection as secretary of Defense, was an early example of pettiness. The nomination of Mattis signaled that the president-elect was surrounding himself with highly competent advisers that would have the integrity to speak truth to power. However, when Mattis eventually resigned, because he could not in good conscience carry out the president’s policy, Trump was unable to accept this and move on. Instead, he attacked Mattis as “the world’s most overrated general” and contradicted his own judgment.
Like all who have served, Mattis and Haley understand the personal and family cost of putting one’s country before self. It’s a concept with which Trump evidently struggles.
Hoping to benefit politically from immigration chaos, Trump vowed to kill a bipartisan border bill and pushed those loyal to him to block the legislation rather than pragmatically address a dire situation at our Southern border, harming both national security and legitimate refugees. Even if Trump believes he could address the crisis better himself, he would not be in position to do so for an entire year. His goal to stop a combined effort now is seemingly for political gain, a self-centered objective that is opposite of what we need in a leader.
Abandoning Trump will surely harm the career of politicians who have tied their fortunes to his. Still, the ability of the Republican Party to unite the country is in serious peril if it cedes control to Trump.
Nikki Haley holds conservative personal beliefs, yet she still listens to opposing ideas and is willing to seek bipartisan solutions to important goals. She is a morally strong, well-qualified candidate with both domestic chief executive and international relations experience. She respects service members and their families. And Trump’s attempts to bully her should highlight these strengths and cause his supporters to take a deeper look at her as a true alternative.
The Republican Party is at a tipping point of defining its soul and future relevance. If nominated, Haley would likely win a general election against President Joe Biden as a younger, common-sense candidate who puts the country first. She will pull in voters from across the spectrum.
If instead the two front-running candidates win their party’s nominations, this will be the third presidential election in a row where the American people are left yearning for a better option than appears on the ballot. Republicans who support the military, love our country and want a Republican in the White House next year need to prioritize character and research independently rather than ride the Trump bandwagon. Haley has shown the mettle to stand up to Trump’s bullying that has withered his other opponents. She invites debate on the actual issues. If Haley is the only Republican candidate who can do both, she deserves the nomination.
