Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley says she won't formally rule out being Donald Trump's vice presidential running mate, saying that would keep the news cycle going for “days” and give her campaign a much-needed boost. He argued that this would take away momentum.
Ms. Haley's rivals, and some Republicans in Trump World, suspect that what Ms. Haley is really aiming for is to be second to the 77-year-old on the Republican ticket in 2024. I'm guessing that there isn't. The former U.N. ambassador insists he is not in the race for second place, but has not specifically said he would reject President Trump's offer.
“First of all, it's very unpleasant to think that I'm going to go through all of this to run for vice president,” Haley told New Hampshire union leaders. Interview published on Thursday.
“I'm fighting to be president, and I'm going to win,” she added.
Additionally, Haley predicted that the elimination of a running mate would be “news for days” and take focus away from Trump's recent surge in approval ratings in New Hampshire. In the state, a new poll puts Haley within four points of becoming the 45th president.
Nationally, President Trump continues to lead by an average of 50 points over his closest competitors in primary polls, according to RealClearPolitics.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' campaign in particular has heavily publicized rumors that Haley wants to run with President Trump, and has set up a microsite to track those claims.
“She won't answer directly — and she owes you an answer to this — will she accept Donald Trump's nomination for vice president? Yes or no,” DeSantis himself said. I said it last month.
Trump aides have publicly expressed concerns that the former president would seriously consider hiring Haley.
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon predicted earlier this week that there would be a “big fight” over the issue in the spring.
“They're going to try to ticket Nikki,” Bannon said Monday on “Human Events Daily.” “They'll say, 'Trump needs a woman named Nikki. She'll balance things out, and she'll unite the 15% of the Republican Party that isn't President Trump.'” we will have to fight that battle. ”
Donald Trump Jr. said he would step in if Haley were to become his father's vice president.
“If it were me, I wouldn't have a girlfriend and I would make every effort to prevent that from happening,” he told Newsmax's Eric Bolling. interview During December.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, a Trump supporter, also voiced fierce criticism, telling podcaster Tim Poole, “Not only would I not vote for that ticket, I would oppose it as strongly as possible.” Ta.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a fellow Trump supporter, called the choice a “mistake” but said she would not change her support for the former president.
“If he chose her, I would say no to him. But I support that ticket because he's still the president and the president still makes decisions. ,” Noem told Bowling Tuesday.
Noem previously said she would accept the vice presidential position “in a heartbeat” if Trump offered her the role.
