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The former ambassador to the United Nations and former governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley confirmed her 2024 candidacy through her Twitter account, where she posted a video in which she leans on her political record and calls for the arrival of new leaders in Washington.
The news had already exploded weeks ago, given that Haley herself announced her launch event for this Wednesday, February 15, where she gave her first speech as a candidate. The event took place in Charleston, the most populous city in the state she governed between 2011 and 2017.
A 51-year-old daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley is the first Republican to enter the race after former President Donald Trump did so in November 2022. As things stand, the nomination would see a head-to-head between the two, although, of course, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Chris Sununu, Tim Scott, and Mike Pompeo, among many others, have yet to reveal their intentions.
New leadership, both for Washington and for the GOP
The launch video is 3 1/2 minutes long, and focuses on Haley’s family history and her record as governor while laying out new leadership for the GOP.
It all starts in Bamberg, where she grew up with her family. “The railroad tracks divided the town by race” but my mother always ‘said your job is not to focus on the differences, but on the similarities,” recounts the candidate’s voiceover.
She goes on to defend the greatness of the United States and its promise, criticizing Project 1619, comparing its way of life to that of China and Iran, and then asserting that “even on our worst day, we’re blessed to live in America.”
The video then takes a look at Haley’s record in South Carolina, including her leadership in times of crisis, fiscal responsibility and family advocacy. During her tenure, children learned that it’s always a “great day in South Carolina,” she said.
Haley was also concerned about the GOP’s trend in presidential elections, specifically with the popular vote, something she plans to reverse. “Republicans have lost the popular vote in seven out of the last eight presidential elections. That has to change. Joe Biden’s record is abysmal, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Washington establishment has failed us over and over and over again,” he said in the video.
Finally, she did not miss the opportunity to attack the most socialist sector of the Democratic Party, which she accused of being bullies. “They all think we can be bullied, kicked around. You should know this about me: I don’t put up with bullies. And when you kick back, it hurts them more if you’re wearing heels,” she closed the video and officially announced that she was running for president.
Haley and her credentials to become president
Needless to say, the candidacy came with a website, where one can donate, listen to Trump praising Haley and take a look at her record as governor. Under the slogan “record of results,” the campaign listed the candidate’s major accomplishments as governor.
In that section, they show other political positions of the candidate, such as her defense of voter ID, school choice, and the Second Amendment. In addition, it is made clear that she was “one of the most pro-life governors in America,” as well as that she “aggressively cracked down on illegal immigration and took on Barack Obama and the D.C. liberals when they stood in the way.”
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The website also shows her record in the Trump administration, where she served as ambassador to the United Nations. Between defending Israel, denouncing the dictatorship under which Venezuela lives and standing firm with Russia, they highlighted her efforts to withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal and change the government’s worldview on China.
“Nikki played a prominent role in President Trump’s decision to repeal President Obama’s disastrous Iran Deal.” and “was a strong advocate of withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, arguing that it was a flawed agreement that gave China a free pass and would destroy American jobs,” the website reads.
Should she win the nomination and hypothetically the presidency, she would make history as the first Indian-American to lead the Republican ticket and the first woman president of the United States.
Joaquín Núñez es licenciado en comunicación periodística por la Universidad Católica Argentina. Se especializa en el escenario internacional y en la política nacional norteamericana. Confeso hincha de Racing Club de Avellaneda. Contacto: [email protected] // Joaquín Núñez has a degree in journalistic communication from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He specializes in the international scene and national American politics. Confessed fan of Racing Club of Avellaneda. Contact: [email protected]