GOP’s backup plan for 2020

Re “Nikki Haley bows out,” editorial, Oct. 10

The timing of Nikki Haley’s resignation as ambassador to the United Nations raises suspicion.

She will leave office at year’s end. Is it a mere coincidence that the next presidential election cycle will kick off by mid-2019?

The GOP publicly touts the Trump-Pence ticket for reelection. But Republicans need a fall-back plan if endless swirling controversies prompt President Trump’s early exit from office or a decision not to seek reelection.

The likely GOP consensus on a ticket without Trump: With Vice President Mike Pence’s “Christian first” appeal to the reliable religious conservative voting bloc, having Haley as his running mate would draw in enough female voters to clinch the election.

The only question may be whether Haley should head that ticket. Aaron Mills Solana Beach

Haley was the most vigorous advocate for our country in recent years. She was a breath of fresh air after the ambivalence of the Obama years.

She attempted to mitigate the United Nations’ unjust antagonism toward Israel and correctly identified the the Human Rights Council for the egregious sham it had become. The Times Editorial Board needs to remember that moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has been law since 1995.

As for the two-state solution, that ship has sailed. The corrupt Palestinian leadership has missed every opportunity over more than 70 years for peace and now has to face the fact that Israel is not going anywhere. The reduction of U.S. aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees should assist in confronting that reality. Barry F. Chaitin Newport Beach