Nikki Haley portrays herself as the adult in the room – but from this journalist's perspective, she appears to be nothing more than a small, thin-skinned, petulant child.
Maybe even worse.
On Friday, Haley's campaign banned journalists from from her rally in New Hampshire – and then informed the site, one of the world's largest English-language online news outlets, that they would be banned from all future events.
It makes you wonder: Did something affect the former UN ambassador when she sat next to Russia, China and Iran?
That's not how it works in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
So what happened that was so terrible, so horrible, and so unacceptable that it deserved a death sentence in the election campaign?
Nothing more than journalists doing their job.
Earlier Friday, reported exclusive new sources saying Haley lied in 2010 when she denied having two alleged extramarital affairs.
The first claims were based on the affidavits of Will Folks (49) and Larry Marchant (61).
On Friday, Haley's campaign banned journalists from from her rally in New Hampshire – and then informed the site, one of the world's largest English-language online news outlets, that they would be banned from all future events.
The two South Carolina men are alleged to have had separate sexual relationships with Haley while she was a South Carolina state legislator and before she became governor of the Palmetto State in 2011.
The new reporting — based on the claims of multiple Republican Party sources who were “closely familiar” with the allegations — says Haley’s alleged infidelity was widely known in South Carolina political circles.
So this week, in keeping with good journalism practice, contacted the Haley campaign and offered them the opportunity to comment.
But instead of issuing an angry denial or any comment at all, Haley responded with an illiberal, un-American tantrum.
The question is: Why not respond to and refute the new claims?
I can't answer this question.
Furthermore, is hardly hostile to Haley's campaign.
On Wednesday, the website published an opinion piece by popular TV court judge – Judge Judy.
“It takes a lot for me to support a candidate so strongly,” Judge Sheindlin wrote. “But Nikki Haley’s integrity, intelligence, energy and experience speak for themselves.”
Two South Carolina men are alleged to have had separate sexual relationships with Haley while she was a South Carolina state legislator and before she became governor of the Palmetto State in 2011. (Left) Larry Marchant Jr., 61, a Columbia lobbyist (Right) Will Leute, 49 – Haley's former communications consultant
Of course, one can understand why the governor would personally be unsettled by this reporting, but this undoubtedly legitimate report goes straight to the heart of Haley's raison d'être.
If the allegations prove true, they undermine one of her main arguments – that her husband's service in the South Carolina Army National Guard is a driving force behind her candidacy.
“I'm doing this for my husband and his military brothers and sisters.” “They have to know what matters in their sacrifices,” Haley often says.
And that's not all.
Asked at a debate whether Donald Trump had the “character” to be elected president again, Haley said that “moral clarity” was a requirement for the position.
Look, Missus Haley – this is an interview. No crowning glory or launching pad for your ambitions.
If you want to hold the same office as George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, you'll have to ask yourself some difficult, perhaps uncomfortable, questions.
It is not the job of journalists to lick the boots of politicians.
It is our duty to hold our feet to the fire.
Haley showed an authoritarian street. And this is not the first time it has drifted towards despotic attacks.
Recall how Haley called on social media companies to ban anonymous users from posting on their platforms. In the age of the digital town square, this is a frightening prospect.
Now the legitimate question is: What kind of government would Nikki Haley run if she so recklessly tramples on the free press?
Donald Trump has called the media the “enemy of the people.” The clever Joe Biden dodges journalists' questions at almost every opportunity.
If the allegations prove true, they undermine one of her main arguments – that her husband's service (above behind Haley) in the South Carolina Army National Guard is a driving force behind her candidacy.
The Obama administration shamelessly branded Fox News Channel an illegitimate news organization, conducted wiretaps against its journalists, and President Obama refused to appear on its shows.
Should we expect more of the same from President Haley?
No, journalists in America should not take Friday's events lightly – nor have they in the past.
“Donald Trump just barred Washington Post reporters from campaign rallies. This should bother you,” the Washington Post wrote in 2016.
What do you say now, WaPo?
This is a very dangerous game that Nikki Haley is playing.
If this is petty, it belies a childishness that shouldn't exist in the Oval Office.
If it's strategy, it's idiotic. It will not have the slightest impact on the way honest journalists report on them.
If this is vicious retaliation – well, that's alarming.
The worst thing about Nikki is that she is a puppet of the globalists. If this isn't a signal of tone-deaf elitism, I don't know what is.
You can exclude journalists from your events, Ms. Ambassador. But you can never stop the American media from searching for the truth.
It's a shame you would even try.