Nikki Haley vs. ‘identity politics’

Your definitive guide to women, politics and power.

Sep 29, 2023 View in browser   By Sophie Gardner POLITICO illustration/Photos by Getty Images, iStock Hi Rulers! This morning, news broke that Sen. Dianne Feinstein has died. The California Democrat was the first woman president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the first woman mayor of San Francisco. She was also the longest serving woman in the Senate — first elected in 1992. During her time in Congress, she was a strong advocate for gun control — championing the assault weapons ban that became law in 1994 — and was known for working across the aisle. She was an icon for women in politics at a time where they were scarce.  “Feinstein was incredible,” veteran campaign strategist Keith Nahigian tells Women Rule. “When she came in, she was like the only woman – there were just a few.” “I think it's important for women today for people to know about the people who’ve made these leaps.” For more, read her obituary in POLITICO. Now, on to some GOP primary news: Nikki Haley has a record of putting her gender at the center of her campaign. In the first GOP presidential debate, she made it clear that she was the only woman in the race. “This is exactly why Margaret Thatcher said, ‘If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.'” “Don’t make women feel like they have to decide on [a federal abortion ban] when you know we don’t have 60 Senate votes.” “I will always say I am going to fight for girls because strong girls become strong women. Strong women become strong leaders,” she said at the August debate. But that narrative was notably absent from her debate performance Wednesday. Judging from new research, her party might prefer it that way. Last week, the Pew Research Center released a study that shows that Democrats and people who lean Democratic are far more likely to say that there are too few women in high political offices compared to Republicans and people who lean Republican: 75 percent to 29 percent, respectively. And Democrats are also more likely to say that it’s important to see a woman elected president in their lifetime: 57 percent to just 14 percent of Republicans. Haley’s switch up indicates that she (maybe) got the memo. “I think if she's scaled back … her comments that are more related to her gender, my guess is that's because their internal polling is saying it's not any good,” says Kelly Dittmar, director of research and scholar at the Center for American Women and Politics. The Pew poll shouldn’t come as a surprise. Republicans historically aren’t fans of “identity politics” — a broad term that generally refers to a candidate using an aspect of their racial/ethnic identity, gender or sexual orientation in their campaign. That’s created a complex situation for some Republican women running for office, says Ariel Hill-Davis, co-founder of Republican Women for Progress. “By viewing ourselves as a party that shies away from identity politics, it also means that we can't acknowledge that we think that people's identities or their backgrounds are an important component to how they would lead or what they bring to the table,” Hill-Davis tells Women Rule. Haley herself has denounced “identity politics.” She’s also said that she doesn’t think there are “glass ceilings” limiting women. She also says that she’s not playing identity politics. She says she’s just talking about her experiences. “It’s not identity politics, it’s just loving who you are,” she said on the podcast Honestly with Bari Weiss. “Identity politics is when you divide people based on what you are. I’m not dividing people based on what I am — I’m trying to show people that we are all more similar than we are different.” So is there a way to center her unique perspective as the sole woman in the race without facing criticism for playing identity politics? Is it even lucrative, when her base isn’t all that worried about seeing a woman in the oval office? Veteran campaign strategist Nahigian ran Michele Bachmann’s 2012 presidential campaign — which largely steered clear of identity politics. Nahigian says that there might be one benefit to Haley using gendered rhetoric: setting herself apart from the other nine male candidates vying for the nomination. But he also says that might backfire when it gets down to two main candidates in the primary. “Eventually, you're probably going to be one on one with Trump,” he tells Women Rule. “And if that's the case, you don't want to be playing the ‘woman card.’ You want to be playing the ‘I'm better than Trump card.’” Strategist Frank Sadler was campaign manager for Carly Fiorina’s 2016 presidential campaign, and says he “understands” why Haley might choose to talk about her gender to set herself apart: “That's obviously a way she could do that that no one else on that stage can do.” And he thinks it might help her get some extra press coverage. But he’s not convinced it will help Haley win votes in the first primary states. “Whether or not at the end of the day, that gets you more votes in Iowa, because of gender – my guess is that's probably not particularly effective.” Dittmar thinks Haley's gendered comments could get her votes — in a general election. But she says “For the most part — she's not getting Trump voters through that message. In fact, she may be putting them off a little bit.” POLITICO Special Report Win McNamee/Getty Images “Manchin snarls top VA nominee over abortion,” by Ben Leonard for POLITICO: “Sen. Joe Manchin has stalled President Joe Biden’s nominee to serve as the VA’s general counsel for more than a year to pressure the agency to stop providing abortions, two people familiar with the matter told POLITICO.” “Another name surfaces as potential Menendez successor: New Jersey’s first lady,” by Matt Friedman for POLITICO: “As first lady of New Jersey, Tammy Murphy has had a much more hands-on role than her predecessors, taking on a policy portfolio, occupying an office in Trenton and becoming her husband’s lead fundraiser. “Now, she’s talking to Democrats about potentially running for elective office — the Senate seat occupied by newly indicted Sen. Bob Menendez, according to three Democrats with knowledge of her discussions about it.” “Ruth Bader Ginsburg stamp to be issued in October,” by David Cohen for POLITICO. Number of the Week Read more here. MUST READS Stefano Guidi/Getty Images “U.S. history classes are mostly about men. Two teachers are looking to change that,” by Nadra Nittle for The 19th: “the women are on a mission to center women in high school history courses across the country. They are petitioning the College Board — the not-for-profit organization that administers Advanced Placement courses — to offer an AP U.S. Women’s History course. So far, they have collected nearly 2,000 signatures to that end” “After Jacinda Ardern, a ‘Scary Time’ for Women in New Zealand Politics,” by Natasha Frost for the New York Times: “The last time New Zealanders voted in a general election, they were choosing between two women who were self-professed feminists. Three years later, in a sign of how sharply the pendulum has swung, they will pick between two men named Chris.” “A New Border Crossing: Americans Turn to Mexico for Abortions,” by Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Edyra Espriella for the New York Times.“ As mental health worsens among Afghanistan’s women, the UN is asked to declare ‘gender apartheid’” by Edith M. Lederer for the Associated Press. Quote of the Week Read more here. on the move Yvette Rose is now deputy executive director in FAA’s Office of Rulemaking. She previously was SVP for the Cargo Airline Association. Aneesa McMillan is now comms director at Giffords. She previously was deputy executive director at Priorities USA. Elisabeth St. Onge is now press secretary for Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.). She previously was press secretary and digital director for Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio). (h/t Playbook)   Follow us on Twitter Sophie Gardner @sophie_gardnerj   Follow us

To change your alert settings, please log in at https://www.politico.com/_login?base=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com/settings This email was sent to rouf@idiot.cloudns.cc by: POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA Please click here and follow the steps to unsubscribe.