In politics, you have two choices: you can get in front of a wave or get slammed by a wave. Earlier this spring we saw Indiana Governor Mike Pence get walloped by a wave of his own making with his poor roll-out – and even worse public defense of – a religious freedom bill known as RFRA. Meanwhile, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s call to remove the confederate flag from its perch on state capitol grounds put her in front of a wave that was steadily building among business leaders, politicians and the public to do the same.
Good politicians understand, or at least surround themselves with people who do, our current social and cultural existence. Where Pence failed – and Haley succeeded – was in understanding and reacting to that cultural reality, and doing so in real time. CONT.
Amy Walter, Cook Political Report