Nikki Haley is facing challenges in her 2024 GOP presidential bid.
When confronted with polls showing her trailing Trump by 35 points in her home state of South Carolina, Haley insisted she would close the gap and said her focus was on the future of the country rather than her own political career.
However, subsequent polls have found Trump maintaining a strong lead of over 30 points in South Carolina, even with millions spent attacking him.
Several conservatives have called on Haley to drop out and unite behind Trump, given her poor performance so far in the primaries and the likelihood of losing badly in South Carolina.
“Last question, just on that whole point of South Carolina, a new CBS poll out, shows that Donald Trump is 35 points ahead of you. Now he’s increased his lead. And here’s a question I have. We’re just a little more than a week away from South Carolina at the moment. It looks like you’re going to go into that contest and lose badly in your home state, which will forever be a cloud over your political career. Why go through with it?” John Roberts asked.
“So first of all, that’s what they said before New Hampshire, and I got 43% of the vote. Our polls do not show that that is not what we’re saying, and we’re going to close that gap,” Haley said.
“More than that, you’re asking me about my political career. That’s the problem with politics. Donald Trump’s worried about his image. Joe Biden’s worried about his image. I’m not worried about mine. I’m worried about the future of America. I’m worried about my kids and what country they grow up in. I’m worried about your kids and what country they grow up in,” she said.
“This isn’t personal. It’s not about me or what happens to me. This is about the fact that if we don’t see how bad this can get, it’s already bad. If we don’t become part of the solution and realize that we can change it, that’s the problem. I will say again, don’t complain about what happens in a general election if you don’t play in this primary because Donald Trump cannot win a general election,” she said.
Haley has defended continuing her campaign by arguing Trump cannot win the general election.
“He’s already said he’s going to spend more time in court than on the campaign trail. He spent $50 million of campaign contributions towards his personal court cases. The RNC is broke. Republicans will not win if you continue down this path. The reason Donald Trump wants me to get out so badly is because he wants help paying his court fees. That is not the job of the RNC. That’s not the job of taxpayers,” Haley said.
“Despite her positive job approval and millions of attack ads against President Trump, Republican primary voters in South Carolina remain unswayed by Haley’s weak attempts to change their minds. South Carolina solidly remains Trump country,” a polling firm memo read.
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