Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said on CBS' “Face the Nation” on Sunday that she wouldn't have run for president if she thought former President Donald Trump was a “great” candidate.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You said you're on standby. In other words, you're not being asked to work with the campaign. Are you advising them on debate preparation or speaking to the campaign?
Haley: I don't think so. That's his choice. Whatever he decides to do with the campaign, that's up to him. But when I called him in June, I said I supported him. I think the two sides have talked to each other a little bit, but there hasn't been a request so far. But if he does ask, I'd be happy to work with him.
BRENNAN: You just mentioned this specific policy issue. Here in New York. Donald Trump just finished a press conference, three-quarters of which was about his frustration over being convicted of sexual assault. During the campaign, you said you had no reason to question the jury's decision in the defamation lawsuit filed by E. Jean Carroll. I'm not asking about the details of the case, but if that's the focus of a presidential candidate's press conference, is that the best use of his time? And what kind of message does it send to women voters to put them through this again?
Haley: Well, for me, it's policy. I've always been…
BRENNAN: But he's a candidate.
AMBASSADOR HALEY: No, I always say this: If I thought Biden or Trump were great candidates, I wouldn't have run for president. I ran because I thought I could do it better.
Renan: So you don't think he's a good candidate.
Haley: I think he's the Republican nominee running against Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. For me, it doesn't matter. So do I agree with his style, do I agree with his approach, do I agree with his communication? No. When I look at the policies and how I think it will affect my family and how I think it will affect the country, I look back at the differences. So, here are the candidates that we were given. If you look at Kamala Harris, it's quite remarkable. She didn't have a debate, she didn't have a primary, she didn't have any votes from anybody, and then they basically took her and put her back on the field within 48 hours and she's a whole new candidate. But the reality is, she has a criminal record. The administration has a criminal record. Trump has a criminal record. Neither is perfect or ideal, but given which one to choose, I don't agree with everything about Trump, but I agree with a lot of his policies. I'm not sure I agree with Harris' policies at all. So I think when women go to vote, they think about how this is going to affect their families, how this is going to affect their finances, how this is going to affect their safety and national security, and which one to choose. So, as a voter, my choice is Trump, because I've seen what his policies have done. I know the economy was better under Trump. I know national security was better under Trump. I know energy was better under Trump. And if you think about how to get that back on track, I think he's probably the best candidate to do that well.
