Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is unfazed by Sen. Rand Paul's “never Nikki” pledge, as the race heats up in key states such as Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. He says he had no intention of cornering the state's Republicans.
“Informed libertarians and conservatives should not support Nikki Haley,” he said, citing her “attitude” toward U.S. foreign intervention and her alleged “involvement” with the military-industrial complex. I think so.''
In response to Paul's jab on Saturday, Haley told Fox News' Brian Kilmeade that he doesn't take the criticism personally and that his opponent can continue to “play the game” as he pleases.
Nikki Haley receives more favorable coverage from ABC, NBC, CBS than other Republican candidates: Study
Republican presidential candidate and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks to guests during a campaign tour at Wildwood Smokehouse on July 29, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“At the end of the day, we're going to continue to talk to people about how we're going to get inflation under control, how we're going to get our kids reading again, how we're going to secure our borders.” “How do we restore law and order to our country? How do we build a strong America?” she said.
“Rand Paul would be fine if we were sitting in the U.S. bubble,” she continued.
“We have to stop wars, we have to stop terrorist attacks, we have to stop those who want to harm us. He doesn't want that. We don't agree on that. That's his opinion. “I have my opinion, but I never actually asked Rand Paul for his opinion.'' He supports me, so that's totally fine.'' ”
Rand Paul declares he's 'never a Nikki', considering 2024 presidential election
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who is not a front-runner in the Republican primary, declared that he is “definitely not Nikki.” (Greg Nash Pool/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Paul said he likes some aspects of all the other Republican candidates and agrees with some of what independent candidate RFK Jr. has on his agenda, but he hasn't yet. He has not stated his first choice.
“But there's one thing I know: Count me as Never Nikki,” he said.
Judge Judy endorses Nikki Haley for president: 'She's very smart…she's the future'
Haley has also received a jab from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who remains in a close race with her for second place behind former President Donald Trump. Ahead of a crucial primary that will determine the Republican race, DeSantis claimed that Haley was “out of sync” with her home state of South Carolina.
“I have about five times as much support from current and former state legislators as she does,” he said Friday on “The Ingraham Angle.” I can't imagine the opposite happening in a place like Florida. I can't do it,” he said.
Haley shot back that state officials were not her fans because she fought for taxpayers.
“That's because I pushed Congress to put votes on the record for taxpayers to see, not voice votes. I got them to pass ethics reform.'' “I increased transparency. So, no, the elected officials in the state Legislature didn't like me because I “Because he fought for the taxpayers. I didn't fight for the taxpayers. So he can get that support if he wants, and that's fine.”
“I welcome him to South Carolina. South Carolina is a great state. I'm very proud of South Carolina. If he chooses to go there, he's most welcome.”
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