12 votes

Another media outlet comment: Misuse of "gaffe" for Nikki Haley

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17 comments

  1. [3]
    Comment deleted by author
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    1. stu2b50
      Link Parent
      Yeah, I’d actually say the real issue with media using “gaffe” is that it has an inherent implication that what Haley said was bad for her, from her perspective, which is a position you need to...

      Yeah, I’d actually say the real issue with media using “gaffe” is that it has an inherent implication that what Haley said was bad for her, from her perspective, which is a position you need to justify, not assume. I think you can easily argue that refusing to admit the civil war was about slavery is good for her and what she wants to accomplish.

      6 votes
    2. BeanBurrito
      Link Parent
      The key and what is in common between all of your definition is that intention isn't involved. Haley's evasion was intentional.

      The key and what is in common between all of your definition is that intention isn't involved. Haley's evasion was intentional.

      3 votes
  2. [3]
    Wafik
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    This is a good point and I think a small sign/example of how far the quality of the free press has fallen in North America. Lack of money combined with overwork leads to a slow March downwards....

    This is a good point and I think a small sign/example of how far the quality of the free press has fallen in North America. Lack of money combined with overwork leads to a slow March downwards. Add in "fake news" and people distrusting the media because they report something that doesn't agree with a person's views or present opinions instead of facts, and here we are.

    I suppose this might be a jump, but I don't think so. Words matter. Saying it was a gaffe let's Haley off the hook. "She's not racist, it was just a gaffe." As if she wouldn't evade the question again. It doesn't matter what she actually believes. By playing to the racists who want to believe the Civil War was about states rights but want to leave out the main right Confederate States cared about gives that insane belief more credibility.

    As a Canadian, I nervously wait and hope that our neighbours to the south can avoid a self-implosion but the weakened state of the news media gives me pause for concern.

    6 votes
    1. Minori
      Link Parent
      Biden vocally supporting gay marriage when he was vice president was considered a gaffe at the time. The word is pretty broad and can refer to any public comments that lead to embarrassment or...

      Biden vocally supporting gay marriage when he was vice president was considered a gaffe at the time. The word is pretty broad and can refer to any public comments that lead to embarrassment or negative media attention.

      2 votes
    2. BeanBurrito
      Link Parent
      Great idea, I hope a debate moderator or a reporter picks it up. Ask her what caused the Civil War, again.

      As if she wouldn't evade the question again.

      Great idea, I hope a debate moderator or a reporter picks it up. Ask her what caused the Civil War, again.

      1 vote
  3. [8]
    tnifc
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    Niki Haley didn't do a mistake. It was intentional rhetoric.

    a mistake
    a social mistake
    careless mistake

    Niki Haley didn't do a mistake. It was intentional rhetoric.

    5 votes
    1. [7]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. [3]
        stu2b50
        Link Parent
        I think the crux is, though, is it an action that produced a result that Haley didn't want? Was it a mistake? Did it produce unwanted or unexpected outcomes? I don't think so. I feel it is a bit...

        I think the crux is, though, is it an action that produced a result that Haley didn't want? Was it a mistake? Did it produce unwanted or unexpected outcomes? I don't think so.

        I feel it is a bit odd after thinking about it more - the news, outside of editorial articles, usually doesn't opine like that outright in the title, and if they do, it would be more of a centerpiece of the title rather than an aside, like it's something you can assume.

        5 votes
        1. sparksbet
          Link Parent
          This is the much more interesting discussion that this thread could have had tbh -- I think OP's inclusion of a weird definition of gaffe is ultimately to blame for the discussion veering into the...

          This is the much more interesting discussion that this thread could have had tbh -- I think OP's inclusion of a weird definition of gaffe is ultimately to blame for the discussion veering into the semantics of that word as opposed to the more interesting question of "is it really a gaffe for a racist who is appealing to racists to say something vaguely racist"

          3 votes
        2. hobbes64
          Link Parent
          Yeah I made a similar comment here It's an intentional dog whistle that she has to make in order to be an electable Republican.

          Yeah I made a similar comment here

          It's an intentional dog whistle that she has to make in order to be an electable Republican.

          1 vote
      2. [3]
        tnifc
        Link Parent
        Meh you fully understand then. You're just being obtuse. There's no need continue down this derailing of OPs point.

        Meh you fully understand then. You're just being obtuse. There's no need continue down this derailing of OPs point.

        2 votes
        1. [3]
          Comment deleted by author
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          1. [2]
            battybattybat
            Link Parent
            If you replace the OP’s definition of gaffe with any dictionary definition, does it change the meaning of the post? I would say no. I find it a bit unfortunate that we’re so caught up on this when...

            If you replace the OP’s definition of gaffe with any dictionary definition, does it change the meaning of the post?

            I would say no. I find it a bit unfortunate that we’re so caught up on this when the actual point is that the word used to label Haley’s actions also serves to help excuse them.

            1. Minori
              Link Parent
              "Gaffe" can be used to describe any public comments that might lead to embarrassment or negative media attention. A gaffe doesn't mean there was a slip of the tongue. Accidentally saying the quiet...

              "Gaffe" can be used to describe any public comments that might lead to embarrassment or negative media attention. A gaffe doesn't mean there was a slip of the tongue. Accidentally saying the quiet part out loud at a town hall can absolutely be considered a gaffe in politics.

              2 votes
  4. Deimos
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    Please post minor commentary about US politics in the weekly megathread in ~news. Something like this doesn't warrant a topic devoted to it.

    Please post minor commentary about US politics in the weekly megathread in ~news. Something like this doesn't warrant a topic devoted to it.

    4 votes
  5. hobbes64
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    It was not exactly an evasion either, it's a tactic. As a republican she has to always follow the Southern Strategy. So she is pandering to keep the southern white vote while hoping she doesn't...

    It was not exactly an evasion either, it's a tactic.

    As a republican she has to always follow the Southern Strategy.

    So she is pandering to keep the southern white vote while hoping she doesn't alienate the majority of people who know that the civil war was about slavery and racism is bad.

    The larger problem is that the Republican Party has no real values or policies other than to empower themselves and enrich their donors, and that in order to make that happen they created a voting bloc that they fear.

    And yes the press should absolutely mention this obvious thing I said whenever any republican tries these dog whistles and other coded messages that harm the country.

    2 votes
  6. Comment removed by site admin
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  7. [3]
    Comment removed by site admin
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    1. MrFahrenheit
      Link Parent
      I think the media necessarily needs to take a charitable approach to public figures because words mean things. You shouldn't say someone is lying, for example, unless you know that's the case i.e....

      I think the media necessarily needs to take a charitable approach to public figures because words mean things. You shouldn't say someone is lying, for example, unless you know that's the case i.e. that the statement was intentionally false.

      Whether Haley evaded the issue or made a gaffe, I think, in an unimportant semantic argument. It could very well be both. She's getting (deservedly) pounced on from all sides over it. What's important is that her answer, including all the follow-ups, is woefully inadequate and demonstrates a (probably deliberate) misunderstanding of American history. The bigger issue is that nobody in the GOP primary can address the Civil War or Slavery in a meaningful way because the voters don't want it.

      2 votes