Are Democratic Leaders and Presidential Candidates ‘Mourning’ Qassem Suleimani’s Death?

No, they are not.

By
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Joining Sean Hannity’s Fox News show on Monday night, former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley discussed the response to the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Suleimani, saying that “the only ones mourning the loss of Suleimani are our Democrat leadership and Democrat Presidential candidates.”

Lest you worry we are taking Haley out of context, she tweeted out the clip herself last night.

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  1. Avatar photo
    Svetlana

    Perfect timing! Dad sent me an article arguing the “mourning” thesis and I can send him yours as a corrective.

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    Jim McC

    I'm not sure that a bit of hyperbole on Hannity is worth a fact-check. I would never hear that and interpret it s literally "mourning" Soleimani. I would assume she meant that they are annoyed that Trump gets a political win. This may be a bit grotesque, but this article takes it far too seriously.

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    STM

    FWIW this is the first misstep I've seen Haley make. I was impressed with how she handled the confederate flag issue in N.C. and also how she handled herself at the UN. These recent comments sound more like Trump than Haley. I've thought of her as a 2024 candidate I could support and who would bring some dignity back to the White House were she elected. I hope that this is a rare aberration and that she's able to retain my confidence.

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    Pat Riot

    Think about how blatantly evil Ms. Haley is making her political opposition out to be. Then note that she is also blatantly lying.

    Why can't she tell the truth? Because the truth of this situation is not helpful. You can have two different opinions about how to approach Iran--dovish and hawkish for instance--and defend your own thesis with your own predictions about the future.

    But what she would have to defend, if she didn't resort to lying, is *Trump's* strategy, which is no coherent strategy at all. No defined stance. No consistent philosophy. Bomb today. Hide tomorrow. Etc.

    If you foolishly tried to take his side, you would just have to contradict yourself the next day and look like an idiot. Haley knows this, but since she craves the spotlight, she needs to say *something* that will get reprinted, and here we are.

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      RandyMc

      Those are some pretty harsh accusations. I'm more interested in if she continues this tack before I want to believe Haley is a blatant evil liar.

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        Pat Riot

        I didn't say *she* was evil, I was saying she was accusing *Democrats* of being evil. That's harsh, but also a straightforward interpretation of her words.

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        RandyMc

        (I really used to be able to spell.)

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    Carolyn

    This is why I love The Dispatch. Truth matters.

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    KevinC

    Declan, thank you for fact-checking Haley’s comments. As soon as I heard them, I immediately thought about how/if The Dispatch would address them, considering The Fair Jessica’s professional relationship with Haley. This honest and fair assessment has rewarded my faith (and paid subscription) in what you’re all doing. Thank you.

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      RandyMc

      I, also, appreciate the idea that criticism is not muted, with this site, by personal relationships. I also think that, while a bit hyperbolic, the criticism of Haley was also too much. I didn't find what she said particularly outrageous under current circumstances.

      That may say more about me than I really want to admit...

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        KevinC

        I do appreciate your comment, Randy, but I disagree and think the criticism was warranted because nothing any of the "Democrat leadership and Democrat Presidential candidates" said was mourning Soleimani's death. Most of their comments were certainly critical of the strategy, and their criticism is open to debate, but to say the Democrats were mourning his passing was flat out untrue and it's not a coincidence she said that on Hannity's program, which is less concerned with promoting conservative values than it is demonizing the Democrats. She said that to throw red meat to Hannity's viewers and I don't think we need to add anymore fuel to that fire. You and I are here on The Dispatch, I'm assuming because we share a desire to be informed by pundits and experts who are attempting to report the facts and be true to principles, calls balls and strikes when they see them. Other than Chris Wallace, Jennifer Griffin, and Baier, I don't see anyone at FOX News doing anything but demonizing the Democrats, which isn't healthy. Be critical. Report the facts, but if we continue to make one half of the country see the other as evil and anti-American, it's not going to end well for any of us. Haley tried to position herself as above the fray, but we're seeing Haley gravitate towards not just Trump and FOX News, but the Charlie Kirk and Diamond & Silk elements of the right. That's not good.

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          RandyMc

          I've been desensitized. I think that was their plan all along.

          The best thing about prime time cable news is that I can now catch up on Family Guy reruns.

          I just didn't think her comment warranted the angst that came out of it given the context. I hope she doesn't make it a habit, though. I think we all have high hopes for her continued and growing leadership role. But, she's a politician.

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      Jenny

      I wondered the same thing myself and second Kevin's approval.

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    CynthiaW

    This is very helpful discussion.

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    1. Avatar photocircle-angle-nib
      Declan Garvey vertical-nib Author

      Thank you Cynthia!

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    Jenny

    This page is a wonderful addition to The Dispatch! Great idea, folks!

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    1. Avatar photo
      Jenny

      Suggestion. I think you should include The Dispatch Fact Check as a link at the top of the home page. I'd put it next to the G-File and French Press links. It isn't easy to find right now.

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      1. Avatar photocircle-angle-nib
        Declan Garvey vertical-nib Author

        Thank you, Jenny! If you scroll down on the site right now under the "Newsletters" section, you'll always be able to see the most recent fact check.

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About Declan Garvey

Declan Garvey is the senior editor of The Morning Dispatch. He joined The Dispatch in September 2019 after nearly three years of public affairs consulting at Hamilton Place Strategies. He doesn't tweet much anymore, but you can follow him at @declanpgarvey.
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