Don't expect Haley vs. DeSantis tickets this November.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was quick to throw cold water on the prospect of partnering with his Republican presidential rival Nikki Haley, who has trailed him in the polls, as his running mate.
The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and governor of South Carolina extended an olive branch of sorts late last week, suggesting he “might” consider him No. 2.
“I'm not going to accept that under any circumstances,” DeSantis said in an interview with Fox News' Neil Kabuto on Saturday.
“I'm running for president because I think we need someone who can win and get the job done. I'd rather spend my last two years as governor than be vice president. I don't think it's a very rewarding position. I want to make an impact.”
DeSantis entered the 2024 Republican presidential election last May as the front-runner against former President Donald Trump in most polls.
But in recent weeks, Ms. Haley has gained momentum in the polls, and Ms. Haley and Mr. DeSantis have been increasingly attacking each other.
“I'm going to defeat Donald Trump on my own. That's our goal. If he wants to work with me, I welcome that,” Haley told NBC and the Des Moines Register about DeSantis. Told. joint interview.
DeSantis and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have been blasting Haley in recent weeks over whether she secretly intended to serve as President Trump's vice president.
“She won't answer directly – and she owes you an answer on this – will she accept Donald Trump's nomination for vice president? Yes or no. All I can say is: I don't accept that under any circumstances, because that's not why I'm running,” DeSantis said last month. ABC by ABC.
His campaign also Website It was to embarrass her with the vice president's questions.
Last week, Ms. Christie described a conversation she had with an anonymous South Carolina politician who “knew her very well.”
“I said, 'Am I reading this wrong?' And he said to me, 'Governor, she didn't eat a glass to get a vice presidential nomination under the Trump administration. 'That's how ambitious she is,' says Chris. He looked back on ABC's “The View.”
Haley has repeatedly refused to rule out being President Trump's running mate, but when asked by voters or the media, she typically answers something like, “I'm not second choice.” It's on point.
The former South Carolina governor also accused his rivals of being desperate in their attacks over the Veep Stakes.
“They've criticized me for everything. Let's be clear: This is what happens when you lose,” she said. told Fox News.
Amid enthusiasm for Haley to become Trump's No. 2, the 45th president's powerful allies include Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Donald Trump Jr. and Stephen Bannon. They have threatened to backlash if Ms. Haley becomes Mr. Trump's No. 2. choose.
Voters will begin paying attention to the Republican presidential race following the Iowa caucuses on January 15th and the New Hampshire primary on January 23rd.
Trump is the front-runner in the early states, facing 91 felonies and excluding Colorado from the primary ballot over his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. The state of Maine is appealing the ruling.
He touts a national average of 62.7% approval, followed by Haley at 11% and DeSantis at 10.9%. According to the latest RealClearPolitics tally..
