Ambassador Nikki Haley told high school students that conservatives should use facts and persuasion to make their case, rather than simply attack liberals.
“Raise your hand if you’ve ever posted anything online to quote-unquote ‘own the libs,’” Haley said Monday, speaking at the High School Leadership Summit hosted by Turning Point USA at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
After attendees raised their hands and responded with cheers, Haley encouraged the crowd of students to take a different approach in their political discussions.
“I know that it’s fun and that it can feel good, but step back and think about what you’re accomplishing when you do this—are you persuading anyone? Who are you persuading?” Haley said.
“We’ve all been guilty of it at some point or another, but this kind of speech isn’t leadership—it’s the exact opposite,” Haley said. “Real leadership is about persuasion, it’s about movement, it’s bringing people around to your point of view … Not by shouting them down, but by showing them how it is in their best interest to see things the way you do.”
Haley was featured as the first speaker of the High School Leadership Summit, a four-day event with other speakers, including Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Donald Trump Jr., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
Haley encouraged the students to stand their ground despite the attacks they may face.
“Have the courage to stand up to the mob,” Haley said.
