South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, flanked by other political leaders, announced on Monday that she will ask the state legislature to remove the Confederate flag from the state capitol in the wake of last week's deadly Charleston church shooting.
July 4th is just around the corner. It will be fitting that our state Capitol will soon fly the flags of our country & state, and no others.— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) June 22, 2015
However, Haley's announcement was hedged, including language that stopped short of condemning the flag, and in fact, defended its place in South Carolina's heritage, even as she declared it too divisive to remain atop the capitol building:
For many people in our state, the flag stands for traditions that are noble. Traditions of history, of heritage and of ancestry. The hate-filled murderer who massacred our brothers and sisters in Charleston has a sick and twisted view of the flag. In no way does he reflect the people in our state who respect, and in many ways, revere it. Those South Carolinians view the flag as a symbol of respect, integrity and duty.
They also see it as a memorial, a way to honor ancestors who came to the service of their state during a time of great conflict. That is not hate. Nor is it racism. At the same time, for many others in South Carolina, the flag is a deeply offensive symbol of a brutally oppressive past. As a state, we can survive, and indeed we can thrive, as we have done, while still being home to both of those viewpoints.
The reactions to her speech were just as divided. Leading the way, several 2016 presidential candidates lauded Haley's decision:
.@nikkihaley is right 2 call for removal of a symbol of hate in SC. As I’ve said for years, taking down Confederate flag is long overdue. –H— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 22, 2015
Sen. Bernie Sanders: Take down the Confederate flag http://t.co/jYF5WsEHOE— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 22, 2015
Kudos to @nikkihaley and all the SC leaders standing with her for doing the right thing https://t.co/CUOgnh3plT— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) June 22, 2015
I am glad @nikkihaley is calling for the Confederate flag to come down. I support her decision - SKW— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) June 22, 2015
Support came in from non-candidates, as well:
15/ So yeah, Nikki Haley did the right thing today. Just FYI In Florida a GOP Governor and a GOP House&Senate removed it from the Capitol.— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) June 22, 2015
RNC chair @Reince echoes @nikkihaley call to remove Confederate flag: "it has become too divisive and too hurtful." Big moment for GOP.— Alex Altman (@aaltman82) June 22, 2015
Governor @nikkihaley's stand should be applauded & I'm hopeful that the SC legislature will codify her sentiments. pic.twitter.com/fzk5AgiXY9— James E. Clyburn (@Clyburn) June 22, 2015
But others, pointing to Haley's previous comments on the flag, were far more cynical:
Nikki Haley on the flag, October 2014 pic.twitter.com/DCR9xCDqeq— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) June 22, 2015
Nikki Haley basically said "No problemo if people want to fly this blood-stained flag on their property, but just not at the state house."— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) June 22, 2015
South Carolina does have a rich heritage of doing the right thing far too late and only because it came under national pressure.— Josh Barro (@jbarro) June 22, 2015
Confederate flag to be removed from South Carolina's capitol grounds. I'm guessing it was @taylorswift13 that finally convinced @nikkihaley.— Ryan Block (@ryan) June 22, 2015
Profiles in courage: Every politician whose statement landed after Nikki Haley’s speech.— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) June 22, 2015
The cynicism extended to politicians who joined Haley's movement after she made the announcement, particularly Sen. Lindsey Graham who last week seemed to defend the flag.
Politicians bend when the wind shifts. Voices important. RT: Lindsey Graham to call for Confederate flag to come down http://t.co/L00HtUPr9m— Dan Therriault (@dantherriault) June 22, 2015
Last week Lindsey Graham defended the Confederate Flag, now wants it down. Apparently Lindsey likes it both ways.— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) June 22, 2015
Area Candidates Really Want Nikki Haley As Veep— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) June 22, 2015