Nikki Haley and DeSantis’ dance
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley is ready to shake up the 2024 Republican primary
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley is determined to make the 2024 Republican primary a thrilling two-person showdown between herself and former President Donald Trump. However, there’s a small obstacle in her way: Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, who finished ahead of her in the Iowa caucuses.
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Candidates have always claimed that there are three tickets out of Iowa, but Haley’s version is more like Eddie Money’s “Two Tickets to Paradise.” She refuses to appear on a debate stage without Trump, even though she failed to surpass DeSantis in the race.
“We’ve had five incredible debates in this campaign,” Haley stated as she returned to the campaign trail in New Hampshire. “Unfortunately, Donald Trump has avoided all of them. He can’t hide anymore. The next debate I participate in will either be with Donald Trump or with Joe Biden. I can’t wait.”
The debates were Haley’s breakthrough moments in the Republican pack. However, her one-on-one debate with DeSantis received mixed reviews, and she ended up in third place in Iowa after polling averages showed her surpassing the Florida governor for second place, including the highly regarded Des Moines Register survey.
Nevertheless, Haley is in a better position than DeSantis in the upcoming contests. She consistently ranks second behind Trump, while DeSantis is polling at 6.5% in the RealClearPolitics average, trailing former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has already dropped out.
If Haley can gain momentum from New Hampshire, where independent voters can boost her candidacy, she will have over a month to campaign in her home state of South Carolina. Haley is also in second place there, comfortably ahead of DeSantis.
However, much of this strategy has little to do with DeSantis himself. Haley is attempting to entice Trump into a debate, hoping that if the race goes on for a month with both of them splitting the first nominating contests, it will be difficult for him to avoid the stage.
At the same time, Haley likely needs DeSantis to stay in the race at least until after New Hampshire. Otherwise, many of his voters may flock to Trump in a must-win state, especially after the former president presumably gained support from entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Haley is set to inherit Christie’s supporters.
If all goes according to plan, Haley will only have to deal with the contradiction of being a third-place candidate in a two-person race for about a week before she can showcase a better performance to support her case.
Haley’s performance in Iowa was much better than John McCain’s in 2000. The late Arizona senator won less than 5% of the vote and finished behind evangelical activist Gary Bauer. However, he went on to defeat George W. Bush by 18 points in New Hampshire. McCain improved in Iowa in 2008, although he still received a lower share of the vote than Haley did on Monday night. He had a closer race in New Hampshire against a former Massachusetts governor but ultimately secured the nomination.
However, all of this puts pressure on Haley to win in New Hampshire and South Carolina. DeSantis believes that she can only achieve a 50% success rate at best and that her lack of support among non-college primary voters will prevent her from winning the nomination.
“Haley was right about one thing: This is shaping up to be a two-person race soon enough, it may just take a few more weeks to fully get there,” a statement from the DeSantis campaign argued on Tuesday.
If the Haley-DeSantis race becomes more contentious, the assumption that their voters will eventually unite to stop Trump may prove to be incorrect.
Consider DeSantis’s response to the news of the Haley debate.
“Nikki Haley is afraid to debate because she doesn’t want to answer tough questions, such as how she became wealthy from Boeing after giving them millions in taxpayer handouts as governor of South Carolina,” he said in a statement. “The truth is, she’s not running for the nomination; she’s running to be Trump’s VP. I won’t disregard New Hampshire voters like both Nikki Haley and Donald Trump, and I plan to honor my commitments. I look forward to debating two empty podiums in the Granite State this week.”
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A common theme among social media commentators was that Haley was calling it a two-person race because she intended to be Trump’s running mate, a speculation she tried to downplay before the Iowa and New Hampshire events.
Haley may be ready to move forward as if DeSantis has already dropped out of the race, but for now, he and his team have different plans.
What challenges does Haley face in differentiating herself from former President Trump and appealing to both Trump loyalists and more moderate voters
Shire and eventually become the Republican nominee in 2008.
While Haley’s path may not be as difficult as McCain’s, she still has to navigate the crowded field of potential Republican candidates, which includes prominent figures like Senator Ted Cruz, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Governor Greg Abbott. But Haley has a unique advantage that sets her apart from the rest – her experience as a former United Nations Ambassador and Governor of South Carolina, and her reputation as a skilled diplomat and savvy politician.
Haley’s tenure as UN Ambassador during the Trump administration gained her national recognition and elevated her profile within the Republican Party. She was known for her tough stance on countries like Iran and North Korea, as well as her strong defense of Israel. Haley’s ability to articulate and advocate for American interests on the global stage made her a popular figure among conservatives who valued a strong and assertive foreign policy.
Furthermore, Haley’s tenure as Governor of South Carolina highlighted her ability to govern effectively and bring about positive change. She successfully handled crises like the Charleston church shooting in 2015, where she demonstrated strong leadership and empathy. Her response to the tragedy earned her praise from both sides of the aisle and solidified her reputation as a compassionate and capable leader.
These experiences have shaped Haley’s political persona and have made her a formidable contender in the 2024 Republican primary. She has the ability to appeal to both the conservative base, with her strong conservative values and record, and more moderate Republicans who are looking for a candidate who can win in a general election.
However, Haley’s biggest challenge will be to differentiate herself from former President Trump, who still commands a significant amount of influence within the Republican Party. While Haley has been a loyal supporter of Trump in the past, she has also been critical of some of his actions and rhetoric. This delicate balancing act will require her to carefully navigate the Trump loyalist faction of the Republican Party, while also appealing to more moderate voters who may be turned off by Trump’s polarizing style.
Despite these challenges, Haley’s determination and political acumen make her a strong contender in the 2024 Republican primary. By positioning herself as a candidate who can bring a fresh perspective and a pragmatic approach to politics, she has the potential to shake up the race and emerge as a frontrunner. With her experience, charisma, and broad appeal, Haley has the ability to unite the Republican Party and lead them to victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Only time will tell if Haley’s strategy pays off and if she can truly challenge the dominance of former President Trump in the Republican primary. But one thing is clear - Nikki Haley is ready to shake up the 2024 Republican primary and make her mark on American politics.
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