2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Haley Suspends Her Campaign, Much Like I Did — Trump and I Could Be Cons

It takes one to know one. I checked the mirror.

Nikki Haley suspended her campaign following Super Tuesday’s popularity contest loss on March 6, 2024.

I know about quitting, suspending, and disappearing

I was “invited” to leave my high school after I hacked their computer system and earned almost enough credits to graduate around 13. Since California public schools were required to offer education opportunities for students who weren’t incarcerated, an alternative “continuation” school was suggested.

At the time, hacking meant chopping up another kid with an axe. Since I didn’t do that, the school principal appealed to egos as my dad and I listened to my sentence.

“Your daughter is bright, she does well on tests. But, she’s been cutting class. She’ll be able to learn at her own pace in the continuing education program.” Principal Smarmy smiled.

“How does she pass her classes if she’s not there? How many classes is she skipping? I mean, she reads a lot.” Dad played concerned.

The principal looked at his notes and flinched. He waited, hoping someone else would fill the silence.

Nope. Our ancestors probably sold snake oil to gypsies.

“It looks like she missed 18 classes.” The principal rubbed his temples.

“In a month? This year? Why weren’t we informed?” Dad was annoyed.

I laughed. “No, Dad. He says I missed 18 classes yesterday. But I should have credit for tutoring a 2nd grader and 2 units of work experience. I read the chapters on my break and can pass today’s tests.”

I questioned the principal. “So, you’re not suspending me?”

The principal shrugged. “Why bother? I wish you luck…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but I sensed it ended with “in the gas chamber.” He wasn’t the first school official to say I’d end up incarcerated.

Continuing education

Enrollment in continuing ed was quick and easy. I noticed the new principal out of the corner of my eye. Mr. Sanders looked pretty laid back.

A few days later, several people visited my boyfriend’s apartment. I passed the joint to a very old woman who talked about the benefits of communism and interracial marriage.

She passed the joint to Mr. Sanders.

Ut-oh.

“Kids should be allowed abortions! I’ve got 14-year-olds who are already mothers. How are they expected to get ahead?” Mr. Sanders was cool.

I nodded.

“I noticed a pregnant girl enrolling at the same time as me. Will she have to do PE?” I hated Physical Education and might consider motherhood a good alternative, depending on the answer.

The color drained from his face as his trip headed in the wrong direction.

Despite my juvenile delinquent behavior, I had a heart.

“Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.”

He doubted the trustworthiness of a kid illegally smoking pot with a boyfriend twice her age.

Leaving is sometimes to everyone’s benefit

Continuing to work seemed like the most honorable and practical thing to do. It gave me opportunities to buy books about science, human behavior, politics, and the law.

I wanted to know how systems worked, so I looked for them in practice as I continued to learn what was important to adults.

“No anchovies on the pizza!” Obnoxious customer? They didn’t use the magic word — allergy. Dribble anchovy juice.

My father explained I earned much less than the worker who was a father of three because I didn’t need as much, regardless of my contribution. He’d never heard of feminism.

Like current politicians, I never officially quit high school. Doing so might have alerted authorities and limited my options. Politicians who “suspend” campaigns have rights those who quit don’t, including manipulating funds.

Collusion and bribes

The police, fire department, and EMTs knew me to be responsible and caring. I called for help if someone was in serious trouble.

Since I started driving when I left home around 14, I tried to maintain a low profile. I rarely frequented the small town’s bars or bought alcohol.

But.

Buying cases of beer for a party one day, Officer Peters spotted me in the convenience store. Our eyes locked, loaded. He weighed his options.

“I’m sure you’re buying those for the restaurant, right?” I nodded.

“And you won’t be carrying them out the door?” The cashier nodded.

“Good. I’m bringing my family in tomorrow night. Free pizza, right? Don’t leave the parking lot until I’m gone.”

Relationships with the fire department, ambulance drivers, and hospital administrators were similar. Free or discounted meals made them look the other way when I authorized emergency services. Even surgery for my little brother when no parents could be found.

Bills got paid and the service providers saved money. I discreetly worked a warped system without publicizing or abusing it. Reliably, predictably, and efficiently within everyone’s comfort zone.

I was becoming a politician.

Success, power, and money

I don’t recommend anyone else follow my path. These events took place in a small town during a less-regulated and documented time. I eventually took the California High School Proficiency Exam (similar to a GED), and went to college in Seattle studying — what else? — information systems.

Credentials weren’t required to get a job when I demonstrated sufficient ability. The higher up the ranks I went with successful accomplishments, the less attention was paid to how I got there. I was fairly well-read and recognized how to behave in different situations.

“I need a system to automate x, doing y, in z months. How much?” was usually the extent of interviews for new consulting clients. They’d already checked my references and knew I could deliver.

Often, the men in charge commented on their surprise to see “Pat” was young and female with slightly burgundy hair, but only cared about results. I tamed my anti-authoritarianism but enjoyed the psychological dissonance caused by an expensive suit and punk haircut.

“You’d be hot as a blonde,” one business owner said.

“Your hourly rate just went up the sliding scale to the sexist asshole range,” I laughed. It did, and he paid without objection.

I’d learned the basic principle of economics — supply and demand.

Lessons learned

As a kid, few people ever questioned having a child sign for an alcohol delivery, working 60 hours a week, or skipping school. Those who did never investigated. They wanted value for their money, and they got it.

Later, working for employers or consulting clients, my education rarely came up. I didn’t volunteer my unusual history, and they didn’t ask. “I attended college in Seattle,” was enough.

People assume those who fit share a relatable history. If you don’t snarl, foam at the mouth, or spout paranoid conspiracy theories, you can pass for acceptable.

Act confident, be consistent and reliable, and don’t stand out except when being evaluated for advancement. Even then, be relatable and humble.

Like a con artist.

Nikki Haley’s future

Nikki Haley will do just fine. When a candidate suspends their campaign, there’s an implied understanding it could be resurrected. Chances are she won’t, and neither will Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy, or Mike Pence. But, if something unexpected happens, they have the option.

Outright quitting and resignations have become a thing of the past, even for 82-year-old Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell who will be “stepping down” from his position at the end of 2024.

In 2016, Hillary Clinton’s failed presidential campaign cost over half a billion dollars. A November 2023 financial report from Nasdaq reported, “… from 2007 to 2014, Clinton and her husband were paid nearly $141 million in paid speeches, according to their tax returns.” Hillary went on to earn millions for book deals, speeches, and work after her Presidential campaign loss. This was much more than she ever earned before her 2016 surprising presidential loss to Donald Trump.

While the total cost of Nikki Haley’s campaign isn’t yet available, it will be as immaterial as Hillary Clinton’s and Donald Trump’s. Candidates don’t foot the bill. Political Action Committees (PACs), Super PACs like CPAC, and donors like you and me support campaigns.

However, the amount of money donors are willing to invest correlates to how much a former candidate can command on the lecture circuit.

On January 16, 2024, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy suspended his campaign. Most voters were relieved, as he seemed as genuine and qualified as a plastic cactus. Unlike Haley, Vivek never harshly criticized Trump, always keeping his options open. Shortly after suspending his campaign, he endorsed the presumed Republican Presidential nominee. Trump teased a future role for Ramaswamy during a New Hampshire rally. “He’ll be with us for a long time.”

Haley may go the way of Ramaswamy, who produces at least two podcasts — YouTube’s Vivek-2024, and one called “The Truth” featuring celebrities such as Alex Jones, Zuby, and “Libs of TikTok” promoting minority stereotypes and untruths.

Vivek Ramaswamy doesn’t yet have a large enough base to likely be appealing to Trump as Vice President, but he’s working on it. His Twitter (X) account has 2.1 million followers as of 3/6/24. “RealDonaldTrump” has 87.4 million after being reinstated in August 2023.

Nikki Haley has just 1 million X (Twitter) followers and likely won’t be considered by Trump for any position. He’s referred to her as a traitor along with other insults. With more media training and exposure, she might be a future candidate. She’s more likable and centrist than Ramaswamy so could land a spot as a network political contributor, though I anticipate a book first.

Morality of trick pizza tossers and candidates

Most important to the customers I served as a kid was whether or not the food I sold, made, and served made them sick. It didn’t.

My brother and I, along with a few others, entertained customers by tossing pizzas in the air — sometimes laden with sauce, cheese, and shiny mushrooms. We spun several at once while weaving and dancing around one another. Sometimes we caught pizzas behind our backs, or suspensefully during a manufactured trip, or fall to our knees.

We were lousy performers but still earned applause and tips. Like others in show biz and politics, we noticed what worked.

As long as a customer didn’t hold up the line, die on my floor, or boycott the restaurant, I only asked, “How can I make more money?” Since I was only halfway to becoming an adult with a fully formed brain, I was selfish.

I was learning to be an entertainer, politician, or con artist. I cultivated mutually beneficial relationships, could identify and manipulate systems, and was primarily interested in only my own success.

But I grew up

As I matured, I appreciated others’ needs more and paid attention to how my actions would impact others. Becoming a parent normally arrests narcissism and selfishness.

I turned down lots of questionable requests to develop hacking software, programs used in the commission of crimes, or applications that would harm society. There was plenty of work — why go for a big payday that would leave me feeling bad about myself, or worried about others?

Not everyone continues to grow past the maturity of a 13-year-old exploiting systems vulnerabilities. Many of the bosses I worked for were company CEOs, Presidents, or owners. They were usually driven, confident, and often unconstrained by a sense of fair play.

Being the boss also means you face temptations. Without regular oversight, corners can be cut as you make the rules. In my role as a leader, I was offered bribes to take contracts or award them to vendors. I quickly learned I was too busy to worry about mistakes, so I developed ethical standards for myself and those who reported to me.

As an employee in management, I was disturbed by office and competitor politics. At the upper levels of Big Tech, the back-stabbing, sabotaging, and stealing credit for others’ work can be ruthless.

I grew accustomed to being told what subordinates and other managers thought I wanted to hear. I see this in politicians all the time.

Check the character of candidates and party philosophy

There’s a joke about lawyers when a new client seeks to hire an attorney:

Lawyer to client: “You called me an immoral sonuvabitch before.”

Prospective client: “Yeah, and now I need you on my side.”

Americans aren’t hiring an attorney to keep us out of jail when we choose a President.

We’re electing a party to represent us on the world stage. The different policies and views on the rights of the individual balanced with the welfare of the majority are important.

Maintaining a democracy is important. MAGA Republicans tend to prioritize individual rights over the good of all. Limited government, low taxes, self-reliance. These are noble goals, but if you live long enough, you’ll likely find yourself in need of help in one way or another. The philosophy that every individual is an island falls apart when we share streets, schools, healthcare, and laws with others. If we can’t cooperate, we become isolated. Suspended.

Despite the “America First” slogans and movement, we cannot be isolated in a global economy where a lot of America’s wealth is generated overseas.

There are important issues like immigration, abortion, social security and health programs, education, and military concerns to be worked out. This requires compromise in the House of Representatives as well as leadership with competent support.

Republicans have nearly caused government shutdowns four times already for fiscal year 2024 beginning in October 2023. There have been four Continuing Resolutions (CRs) needed to avoid a complete government shutdown since Republican majority Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed for passing a CR on September 30, 2023. The house remainedb without a speaker for over 3 weeks, unable to pass legislation.

Border control is a legitimate concern. Congressional Republicans were ready to support an immigration bill until Trump pressured them to reject it. He convinced Republicans all they need is a new President, and he needs the border to be an issue to attract voters.

Trump is behaving like a performing con artist

I recognize a con when I see one. Trump is still 13, bragging about a level of wealth he clearly does not possess, feeding anchovy juice pizza to those who may be allergic.

Recently, Trump asked a judge to cut the $83 million sexual assault defamation award to E. Jean Carroll. He offered $100 million instead of the $450+ million needed to appeal his fraud conviction. Both were denied.

Americans deserve better than a convicted felon to lead them. Even if Biden fell into a coma, he has qualified aides and experienced representation behind him to ensure government continuation.

Trump’s advisors included his daughter Ivanka, and her husband Jared. They weren’t qualified to run a pizza parlor. The kids managed to obtain $2B from Saudi Arabia and special trade considerations from China while in office to enrich themselves.

Trump deserves his own YouTube show. Lizzie Lizard Brain has lots of titles in mind. He can keep spinning shiny stuff and playing to the crowd hungry for entertainment. But, the shiny stuff he spins isn’t honest and may be harmful. I’ll bet all my savings he wouldn’t stop the show to call EMTs to save someone in the audience.

Almost every Republican aide and many prominent politicians oppose him in the 2024 election. When your family, friends, and employees won’t vouch for you, there’s an issue.

Principal Sanders agrees.

Find out for yourselves whether this callous kid ever matured or if his goal is simply more money and power for himself. So far, he hasn’t shown concern for those he’s sacrificed. Loved ones may be called to war, forego medical treatment, and be saddled with enormous debt.

They depend on us to learn the facts and make wise choices.

Lizzie Lizard Brain contributed images. She’s incorrigible and is never allowed to lead.

© Copyright 2024 Patricia Jeanne