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Every man clocking in for work at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is thanking the Lord that they are not Larry Kudlow today. That’s because an electro-magnetic pulse bomb has gone off in both wings of the building courtesy of UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, shutting down all “old boy” systems of thinking for the moment.
Make no mistake, the words “With all due respect, I don’t get confused,” are now permanently seared into the newly minted economic adviser Larry Kudlow’s mind for the rest of his life as well as into feminist nomenclature for perpetuity. And while we know they will be referenced repeatedly in the days to come, I am hoping they will serve a more meaningful and transcendent purpose for men across the country. If I could have a little chat with other men free of political and cultural vitriol, I would say that all of us need a Nikki Haley moment of our own right now. The second thing I would say is that this is not a masculinity thing, fellas. It’s a dignity thing.
Kudlow’s remarks, but more significantly the tone accompanying them, communicated to the world that our strongest representative on the world stage meant well but she’s both out of the inner circle and not a member of the varsity squad. As I listened to Kudlow’s remarks one word kept coming to mind – condescending. Combine his words and tone with the reality that this UN Ambassador would never release a sanction timeline of this magnitude arbitrarily, and you conclude that the only person in the mix who is confused here is our brother Larry. It’s equally, embarrassingly and painfully clear as well that he knew nothing about our very dignified and strong sister Nikki.
Haley, a vocal critic of Trump during his campaign, told a CNN reporter in 2017 the terms she gave to the president before she would even consider taking a job in the administration (she was being considered for Secretary of State at the time). Listen up, Larry.
- “I am a policy girl.”
- “I want to be a part of the decision-making process.”
- “I don’t want to be a wallflower or talking head.”
- “I want to be able to speak my mind.”
Trump’s response according to Haley? “Done. That is why I asked you to do this.”
Her performance has validated his sense of her in every way. She has been an unapologetic voice for our nation’s foreign policy and taken an aggressive position with the bullies of the world. That’s why we love her – she has a spine to match that great mind. It’s an easy case to make that Nikki Haley has been Trump’s best appointment. She is in a perennial hot seat on the world stage.
In my native California, we would say to Larry Kudlow, “Dude, what were you thinking?” Or, sadly, maybe that is how he thinks and that, men, serves as our own “teachable moment” if we care about honor and respect between men and women.
Today, more than ever, men need to recognize they are not islands. We need help—female help, talents, perspectives and partnership at every familial, social and professional level. We need to be shoulder to shoulder against the real enemies attacking freedom but more significantly the ways of thinking attacking our families and affecting our children.
But only one attitude will get us there – humility.
Seeping between the lines of Kudlow’s remarks is the opposite of humility – hubris. Make a mental note of that if you have a gold band on your left ring finger. Pride and fear create distance and destroy relationships with the very people who are supposed to be your partners.
If we really want to “act like men” and authentically lead, then the smartest thing we could do is invite passionate and wise partners into the battles we face. Get this men – we are being called into partnerships with women. And equally important to note – you don’t lose strength and attractiveness, you gain it!
Smart men should be applauding Nikki Haley and realizing that feminine strength doesn’t threaten anyone but the most insecure.
Don’t be a confused man when encountering a strong woman – embrace her.
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