United States UN ambassador says women accusing Trump have a right to be heard

Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is emerging as one of the best members of the Trump cabinet.    She has developed some influence and power at the U.N., and she seems to have earned Trump's confidence as well -- even when she has not always totally matched his words in speaking about issues.   She's rumored to be the likely replacement as Secretary of State when Tillerson leaves.

On Sunday's "Face the Nation," she was asked about the women who have come forward to accuse their powerful bosses of sexual violations.   She spoke about the cultural shift that has changed the conversation;  and, specifically about the women, she said she applauded them:   "I'm proud of their strength.  I'm proud of their courage."

And what about the women who have accused the president, they asked her how people should assess the president's accusers?   Her answer, according to a Reuters report:   "The same.   Women who accuse anyone should be heard.  They should be heard and they should be dealt with;  and I think we heard them prior to the election.   I think any woman who has felt violated or felt mistreated in any way -- they have every right to speak up.   I know that he was elected, but women should always feel comfortable coming forward and we should all be willing to listen to them."

Haley is threading a delicate needle here.   The White House line is that this was "litigated" during the campaign, and the people elected Donald Trump despite these allegations.   So -- the implication is -- that should settle it.    They've been heard, and the American people still preferred Trump.

Well, no they didn't.    Three million more of us voted for Hillary Clinton.   Trump may have won the electoral college vote to make him president (whether he had help from the Russians is another question.)   But that is not a measure of what the American people want on any other issue.   The electoral college does not decide decency, integrity, and truth.

The fact is, though, Nikki Haley has her job at the pleasure of Donald Trump.  She left a little wiggle room by mentioning the election -- without using it as the dodge that Trump team is doing.   But she was taking some risk.   Good for her.   Let's see what happens.

Ralph