Nikki Haley stands strong against the approaching Trump wave
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley Vows to Continue Presidential Campaign
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley made a bold statement on Tuesday, declaring that she will persist in her campaign for the Republican presidential nomination “until the last person votes.” Despite facing unfavorable poll numbers, Haley remains undeterred as former President Donald Trump gains momentum in the race.
Haley’s determination is unwavering, even as polls indicate that she is likely to lose her home state of South Carolina, where she previously served as governor, by a larger margin than her loss in New Hampshire. The data suggests that she will also face defeat in Michigan and most Super Tuesday states.
It seems that Haley’s only obstacle is the looming presence of Trump, who appears to be an unstoppable force.
“Some of you in the media came here today to see if I’m dropping out of the race,” Haley defiantly stated. “Well, I’m not!”
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich famously defied the odds and won the 2012 South Carolina primary after challenging the media in a debate prior to the vote. This was the only instance where the state’s GOP primary voters did not choose the eventual nominee.
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However, replicating Gingrich’s success may prove to be a difficult task for Haley. The latest USA Today-Suffolk poll in South Carolina shows her with only 35% of the vote, compared to Trump’s commanding 63%. In the RealClearPolitics polling average for the Palmetto State, she trails him by a significant 25.3 points.
Nevertheless, Haley remains resolute. She argues that there is no need to rush in selecting a nominee when millions of voters have yet to cast their ballots. She believes that the Republican race should not be a mere “coronation.”
Many prominent Democrats have been hesitant to challenge President Joe Biden, fearing that it would harm their chances in the general election. Attempts to unseat incumbent presidents through the primary process have historically failed, with the exception of Lyndon Johnson dropping out of the race after the New Hampshire primary in 1968.
In all four of these instances, the incumbent president’s party suffered defeat. Primaries are costly and expose candidates to attacks that can be exploited by the opposing party during the fall campaign. Even if Haley does not win any primaries or caucuses, a prolonged battle between her and Trump could further damage his standing with suburban women.
It is possible that these previous incumbents faced primary challengers because they were already weak. However, Democrats with better prospects than Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) are not taking that gamble in 2024.
Haley, on the other hand, argues the opposite. “Republicans will grow stronger through vigorous competition,” she asserts. “We have plenty of time to work through this.” While Trump is not technically an incumbent, he remains the most recent Republican president.
However, if national polling is any indication, Trump is poised to gain quasi-incumbent support as multiple states begin voting simultaneously. The latest Morning Consult survey shows Trump leading Haley by a staggering 63-point gap, with 81% of respondents favoring him.
Never Trumpers have criticized Haley and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) for not being critical enough of the former president. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie accused Haley of trying to have it both ways and predicted that she would be easily defeated.
Despite the criticism, Haley has only intensified her opposition to Trump since the race became a two-candidate contest. She now insists that she is not concerned about preserving her future political viability.
“I have no fear of Trump’s retribution. I’m not seeking anything from him,” Haley declared. “My own political future is of no concern to me. I listen to what the political elites say, but I also listen to the American people.”
Haley addressed the speculation that she may be running for vice president or another top job in a different election, dismissing it as unfounded. She questioned how that would even work and emphasized that if she had ulterior motives, she would have dropped out long ago.
However, most of the speculation assumes that Haley indeed aspires to be president. The question remains: how does losing to Trump by increasingly larger margins and alienating a majority of the party align with that objective?
It is possible that Haley anticipates being vindicated by a larger-than-expected Trump loss to Biden. Alternatively, after Trump’s thinly veiled innuendos about her marriage, she may genuinely no longer care about his opinions.
Haley’s staying power in the primary will also depend on the continued support of donors. The fact that she needed to justify her campaign before the upcoming primary and tease the possibility of its end to attract media attention brings to mind Herb Stein’s law: “If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.”
Candidates often display their most defiant spirit in the final days of their campaigns. One only needs to recall Howard Dean’s memorable response to his loss in the 2004 Iowa Democratic caucuses.
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“Not only are we going to New Hampshire, Tom Harkin, we’re going to South Carolina and Oklahoma and Arizona and North Dakota and New Mexico, and we’re going to California and Texas and New York,” Dean passionately declared. “And we’re going to South Dakota and Oregon and Washington and Michigan, and then we’re going to Washington, D.C., to take back the White House!”
Dean’s subsequent scream became the epitaph for his campaign, although he did manage to win his home state.
What are the conservative values that Haley believes make her the best candidate to lead the Republican Party?
Ve by my principles and will continue to fight for what I believe in.”
Indeed, Haley’s determination to continue her presidential campaign is driven by her deep-rooted conviction in her ability to provide strong and effective leadership for the Republican Party. She believes that her conservative values and experience as a governor and ambassador make her the best candidate to unite the party and lead the nation.
While her current poll numbers may not be in her favor, Haley remains steadfast in her belief that the race is far from over. She understands that the road to the nomination is a tough one, but she is willing to put in the necessary work and effort to earn the support of the Republican voters.
As the Republican primary race unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Haley’s campaign evolves and whether she can gain the momentum needed to challenge Trump’s dominance. Regardless of the outcome, Haley’s determination and resilience serve as a testament to her unwavering commitment to public service and to shaping the future of the Republican Party.
The Republican Party and the American people will ultimately decide the fate of Haley’s presidential campaign. Until then, Haley will continue to tirelessly campaign, engaging voters and spreading her message across the country.
As she approaches each primary and caucus, Haley remains confident in her ability to connect with voters and make a compelling case for her candidacy. By staying true to her principles and persevering through the challenges ahead, Haley hopes to prove that she is the candidate who can bring about positive change and lead the Republican Party to victory in the 2024 presidential election.
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