DeSantis seizes opportunity from Haley’s Civil War blunder before Iowa caucuses

Gov. Ron DeSantis Takes Aim at Nikki Haley​ Over ​Civil War ‌Comments

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is seizing on fellow 2024 Republican rival Nikki Haley after she did not say the Civil War⁣ was caused by slavery during a town hall event in New Hampshire.

DeSantis’s campaign has repeatedly‌ slammed Haley over the comments, claiming she isn’t‌ “ready ⁢for primetime.” The⁢ remark comes amid Haley’s ⁣recent rise in the ‌primary ⁤campaign, which could now⁢ be threatened ⁤by her gaffe.⁣ This is the ⁢latest dust-up⁢ between the two candidates who have bitterly battled for​ second place in ‌the primary behind former President Donald Trump.

Nikki Haley’s Civil ⁤War Flap Sparks Controversy

“I noticed that Nikki Haley has had some problems⁣ with some basic American history. She was ⁤asked ‌a very simple question and responded with just really incomprehensible word ​salad about this and that,” DeSantis said Thursday. “I⁣ just think‍ that⁢ this shows, ⁣this is not a candidate that’s ready for prime time. She’s gotten ⁢a pretty free ride from a⁣ lot of the corporate press. ⁣The minute that she ‍faces any type of scrutiny she tends to cave.”

Then, ⁣to ‌twist ​the ​proverbial knife into Haley further, DeSantis explained his⁣ own beliefs on the Civil War. ⁤”Not that difficult to identify and acknowledge the role slavery played in the Civil War,” he continued. “And yet that seemed to be‍ something that was really‍ difficult. I don’t even know what she​ was saying.”

He also reportedly said ​at a different campaign event in Iowa that the ⁤Republican Party was “founded to ‍put a stop to the growth‌ of⁢ slavery in this country,” ⁣which ⁤the GOP should be proud of.

Although Haley has since said that the war was caused by slavery, she originally claimed that it⁢ was due to‌ “how government was going to run. The freedoms and what people couldn’t do” during a New Hampshire town hall‌ on Wednesday when questioned by an audience member. ‌She also claimed later​ on⁢ that ‌the question was planted by Democrats to trip her⁣ up because President Joe⁢ Biden wants to ​run ‌against ‍Trump in next year’s​ presidential elections.

The Florida governor’s rapid response ⁣team was quick to slam Haley over the remarks‍ that ‍very⁢ night. His rapid response team responded to Haley’s comments with a simple “Yikes” ​on ‍social media followed ​by several posts attacking her.

Andrew Romeo, DeSantis’s campaign spokesman, excoriated Haley ⁤on X, the​ platform formerly known as Twitter, ‍Thursday morning. “Embarrassing cleanup attempt,” ⁣he‍ posted. “Even if that is‌ true … If ⁣she can’t handle a question⁢ as basic ​as the cause of the Civil War, what does she think is going to happen to her in‍ a general election. The⁤ Democrats would⁣ eat her lunch.”

In a statement to the‌ Washington Examiner, Haley’s campaign slammed DeSantis.

“Let me get this straight — the guy who won’t condemn neo-Nazis is ⁢attacking the South Carolina​ governor who took down ‍the Confederate flag,”⁤ said Haley campaign communications‌ director Nachama ⁣Soloveichik, alluding to DeSantis’s reaction ‌to neo-Nazi demonstrations in ‍Florida. “Just pack up your campaign and go home, Ron. It’s over.”

The controversy surrounding Haley is a welcome respite for the ⁢DeSantis campaign, which has faced scrutiny over its viability before the ⁤crucial⁢ Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses, which he has staked his ⁣2024 bid​ on. ‍Trump continues to dominate his GOP rivals in‍ national polls. A ReaClearPolitics poll average shows the former president at 62.5%, DeSantis at 11.3%, less than ‍1⁢ percentage point above ‌Haley at 11%.

Within the ⁤last month, ⁣six ‌executives have ‌left Never Back Down, the super PAC⁣ that has acted⁢ as a de facto campaign for DeSantis,‌ further distracting from his bid ⁢to win over ​Iowans before they decide on who​ they ⁤want as the GOP nominee. Meanwhile, Haley is nipping at DeSantis’s heels for second place and, until this ⁣week, had generally received better media coverage than he⁣ has.

CLICK HERE TO ‍READ MORE⁣ FROM THE ⁢WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Yet, DeSantis and‍ Haley are set to face off ⁢on the ‌debate stage ⁢on Jan. 10, likely the last time before the Iowa caucuses. If this ⁤week is any indication, the Florida governor is likely to ⁣throw⁤ the Civil War controversy ⁤in Haley’s face one more time in​ a bid to ⁣improve his status.

⁣ Why​ is​ it important for political leaders to have a thorough understanding of American history, especially when discussing sensitive topics like the Civil ⁤War and the role of slavery

R spreading ⁤conspiracy theories. “Nikki Haley’s attempt to shift blame and play​ victim is a desperate ploy to distract from her blatant lack of knowledge on‍ American‌ history,” Romeo stated. “Her attempt to blame Democrats and President⁣ Biden⁢ for ‌her own ‍ignorance is deeply troubling and shows a complete lack of accountability.”

This latest feud between DeSantis and Haley is indicative of the larger struggle within the‍ Republican ‍Party to define its identity ‍in the post-Trump⁤ era. Both⁤ candidates are‍ vying‍ for the support of Trump’s base, with DeSantis positioning himself as a staunch⁢ ally of the former president and Haley attempting⁢ to strike a balance between loyalty to‍ Trump and a more moderate image.

However, when it comes to issues like the Civil War and the ‌role of⁣ slavery, there should be no room for ​ambiguity or historical ‌revisionism. The historical consensus is clear: the Civil War was‍ fought primarily over the issue of slavery. Any attempt to downplay or ignore this fact is not ⁣only intellectually dishonest but also ⁢disrespectful⁤ to the millions of enslaved people who ⁣suffered and died as a result of this institution.

It is important for ⁣political leaders to have a thorough⁢ understanding of American history, especially when discussing such sensitive topics. The Civil War has had a profound ‌impact on our nation and continues to shape our⁤ society ‍today. Ignorance ​or deliberate misrepresentation⁢ of this ‍history undermines the integrity of our leaders and⁤ their ability to⁢ make⁣ informed decisions.

As the 2024 presidential race begins to take shape, it is crucial for candidates to engage in ⁢substantive discussions about the pressing issues facing our country. While disagreements and debates are inevitable, it‍ is essential that these ⁤conversations are grounded in facts and a nuanced understanding of history.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’s criticism of Nikki Haley’s comments​ on the Civil War ‌is a reminder that candidates must be held ⁤accountable for their words and views. It is not enough to simply appeal⁤ to a base or ‌engage in political posturing. The American people deserve leaders who are informed, thoughtful, and committed to upholding the values and‍ principles of our nation.

In the coming⁢ months, as the Republican primary race heats up, it will ⁢be interesting to ‌see ⁣how candidates like ⁢DeSantis and Haley navigate the complex issue of American​ history and its‌ significance in shaping our present and future. The voters will ultimately decide who is best equipped to‍ lead⁢ our country, but it is our collective responsibility to demand honesty,⁤ integrity, and a deep respect for historical truth from those who seek ‌to hold public office.

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