Nikki Haley On The Colbert Report: Can’t Is Not an Option, My American Story

By John | Monday, April 9, 2012 | 6 Comments

Thanks for visiting 8Asians, a blog about Asian American issues. If you find this interesting, subscribe to the RSS feed, visit our Facebook Page or add us on Twitter!

The Colbert Report

Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Nikki Haley

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

Video Archive

I caught Stephen Colbert’s interview of South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on The Colbert Report. This was the first time I’ve seen Haley interviewed in a non-news program or press briefing, and had very much the same reaction when I had seen Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. First, it was a bit disarming to see Haley (or for that matter, any Asian American) speak with a Southern accent (this includes a cousin who went to middle and high school in Texas). Haley come across as a very eloquent, approachable, down-to-earth person.

As the first woman, non-white elected and I believe youngest (age 38) elected governor of South Carolina, she has broken a lot of barriers. I can’t say that politically, I am a fan of Haley – she’s a Tea Party favorite that is friends and endorsed by former Vice Presidential candidate and former Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. Ironically, Haley supported establishment favorite Republican Mitt Romney in the South Carolina presidential Republican primary – so she’s somewhat practical (from a political survivalist standpoint). Haley repeated that she was not interested in being Romney’s pick for vice president.

However, I wouldn’t be surprised that Haley has aspirations for the national stage in the future. She just published her book, Can’t Is Not an Option: My American Story. That’s always a sign of high political aspirations. And I later saw her being interviewed in ABC’s Nightline segment, where she does talk about some of the discriminatory experiences in the past while growing up in South Carolina.

Categories:

Current EventsEntertainmentPoliticsTV

NOTE: 8Asians.com is a community, and we thank you for being a part of it. While we welcome and appreciate differences in opinion, if you're rude or you're promoting spam, we have a right to edit or delete your comment. Read our comment policy for more information.

If you see a comment that violates the 8Asians.com comment policy, you may flag the comment by mousing over the comment and clicking "FLAG."

Facebook Comments (Beta)

http://www.littleyellowdifferent.com ErnieAtLYD

Nikki. Bobby. Just once, I’d like to have a South Asian governor with the last name of Navinder.
csc3

it’s nice to have women of color represented, but sorry, i just can’t with her.
hmoob_guy

Hey! I have a southern accent too. I am from North Carolina. But yeah, I do hate asian americans having a southern accent too. Yep, I hate my accent. HATE IT! HATE IT! HATE IT! And also we can’t help it, so is it really our fault.
http://www.littleyellowdifferent.com ErnieAtLYD

Former writer Ben (http://www.8asians.com/author/darkmoon/) lives in North Carolina and thus, has a Southern accent as well. I regret not having him on a podcast or something. It’s a trip.

Watch, I’ll probably develop a Cuban accent in a year here in Miami. I’m already saying “bro.”
chelseyxi

I was in North Carolina for vacation and didn’t notice the “southern accent” of Hmong folks there. =/
chelseyxi

Well written! I like that you wrote about Nikki as an Asian American in office as a great accomplishment without talking about her political stance.

8 Asians