Haley brushes off quip that New Hampshire primary will ‘correct’ Iowa caucus

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley on Wednesday dismissed cynicism that New Hampshire primary voters would “correct” the results of the Iowa caucuses.

“We've done over 150 town halls. I hope you enjoy it too. So we're in this town hall, there were 700 people in New Hampshire, we're being cut back, and , yes, I said that. But remember, I'm from an early state,” she said at a CNN town hall in Des Moines, Iowa. “South Carolina always knew that Iowa would be the first caucus, New Hampshire would be the first in the nation, and South Carolina would be the first in the South. It was a deal.”

“We joke with each other about different things,” Haley said.

“New Hampshire is making fun of Iowa. We're making fun of South Carolina. That's what we do. I mean, I think the problem with politics right now is that it's too serious and too dramatic. I “I don't live, eat, and breathe politics all the time. I also like to have fun,” she added.

Haley was responding to remarks the day before in New Hampshire in which she said the Granite State would “correct” Iowa.

“We have an opportunity to get this right. And I believe we will get it right. And I trust you. I trust each and every one of you. You know how to do this. You know Iowa starts it. You know you're fixing it,” Haley said at the time.

Haley asked CNN's Erin Burnett whether her comments suggested a lack of confidence in her performance in the Hawkeye State, where she is far behind former President Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. I dismissed that idea.

“It’s cold in here, so I’m not going to sit here in the cold,” she said jokingly. “I've been here for months, going to every corner of Iowa, shaking every hand, answering every question, and being the last one to leave at every town hall. Last day in Iowa, I'll fight to the end. And I'm not playing in one state. I'm fighting in every state, but it's because I think everyone deserves to fight.”