Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has indicated that she no longer feels obligated by the commitment she made last year to the Republican National Committee (RNC), promising to support the eventual GOP nominee.
During an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” aired last Sunday, Haley acknowledged her previous endorsement, which was a prerequisite set by the RNC for candidates to participate in the GOP primary debates. However, she argued that the current state of the RNC differs significantly from when she made that commitment.
Haley’s remarks alluded to recent upheavals within the organization, notably the resignation of long-time chair Ronna McDaniel, and the emergence of a leadership slate backed by former President Trump, including his daughter-in-law Lara Trump. Haley had previously criticized this move, characterizing it as an effort to transform the RNC into a funding source for Trump’s mounting legal expenses.
Nikki Haley (Credits: Los Angeles Times)
When pressed on whether she would back Trump if he maintains his dominance in the GOP primary, Haley refrained from a direct response, stating that endorsements are not something she currently considers. She expressed a focus on moving forward rather than contemplating potential losses, emphasizing the importance of continuing the race.
Expressing her views on the current presidential candidates, Haley asserted her belief that neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden should occupy the presidency, citing their advanced age and contentious rhetoric. She has consistently maintained this stance in recent weeks, highlighting Biden’s labeling of opponents as fascist and Trump’s derogatory remarks about his adversaries.
However, a recent CNN fact-check debunked Haley’s claim regarding Biden, clarifying that he had never referred to all Trump supporters as fascist.
Haley’s remarks coincide with her ongoing struggle to catch up with Trump in terms of delegate count, a gap that is expected to widen following the Super Tuesday nominating contests. Despite Trump’s victories in primary states, including South Carolina, Haley remains determined to stay in the race, emphasizing her commitment to offering an alternative path forward.
She reiterated her determination to continue competing for as long as her campaign remains viable and resonates with voters. Rather than dwelling on past commitments, Haley emphasized the importance of sustaining dialogue and reaching out to voters across various states to demonstrate a viable alternative.
