Some Republicans believe President Trump is going too far with his attacks against Haley, fearing this may turn off voters in South Carolina and further alienate suburban women and moderates. They fear his attacks might cost her in the primary on Feb 24th as well as alienating suburban voters more broadly.
Haley is working to build a diverse Republican coalition, from religious conservatives and traditionalists in business, as well as national security hawks. She will compete for their vote in South Carolina, Michigan and multiple Super Tuesday states.
China Policy
Trump leads in South Carolina RealClearPolitics polls by double digits, and many of his most vocal supporters are criticizing Haley for policies she enacted as governor and ambassador that don’t fit with his “America First” agenda, such as her position towards China.
As opposed to some of her GOP rivals, who have launched harsh attacks against former President George W. Bush as part of an attempt to undermine his White House ambitions, Haley has been restrained with her words regarding Trump, possibly fearing an aggressive approach would alienate suburban Republicans and women who might otherwise support her bid for nomination.
And yet she has been unable to secure enough donor support to mount a serious challenge against Trump in an already influential primary race for 2024. If she fails to gain traction, this could leave no viable path open for a presidential run in 2020.
Trade Policy
Nikki Haley has an impressive political resume to challenge President Donald Trump in South Carolina’s Republican primary this month; however, her endorsement by him has exposed policy differences. She faces opposition in her home state from some of those same Republican leaders who back Trump; those leaders seek to ensure she aligns herself with hardline “America First” policies they champion.
Attacks against Haley have focused heavily on her approach to China, with Trump supporters criticizing her for not adopting a tougher stance against this Asian superpower. For her next primary election run, the former governor must navigate between factions of her own party in order to win over independent voters and suburban Republicans who could help ensure a general election victory.
Victor Morgan, an independent 41-year old voter for Haley in 2010 says she can win back his support but only by more directly challenging Trump. Morgan asks Haley to give Trump what has been given out: everything that has been on offer so far.
National Security Policy
Haley has used recent campaign appearances as an opportunity to play defense, emphasizing her alignment with Trump on foreign policy goals, while stressing the necessity of having an in-depth knowledge of global affairs for effective leadership. Her approach echoes former President George W. Bush who saw diplomacy as essential tool in furthering American interests.
In South Carolina, where she is running as the Republican frontrunner in the primary, she faces opposition from conservative pundits and activists who object to her soft stance toward China compared with President Trump?s America First policies.
Trump supporters in one state where he won in 2016 have employed tactics that are common to GOP primaries, including labeling opponents as “RINOs” that could erode support among moderate and independent voters. Furthermore, they are mobilizing national networks of grassroots support behind candidates who reaffirm loyalty to President Donald Trump – thus creating further division within their party on how best to deal with his lasting influence. As this contest heats up further, its rhetoric highlights deep divisions within it about how best to handle him.
China Record
As Haley strives to avoid an embarrassing home-state loss that would harm her presidential ambitions, she must also navigate polar factions within the Republican Party. Some critics accuse her of not being an authentic conservative by virtue of her voting record on abortion and immigration restrictions; others accuse her of being too similar to pre-Trump Republicans.
Haley recently had an awkward exchange with one of her campaign supporters who inquired whether or not she would pardon those responsible for breaching the Capitol. Haley demurred, waiting instead for feedback from Pam Hemphill – one of those serving a prison term for participating in Jan. 6 revolt – before making any comment on pardoning breachers.
Hemphill applauded Haley for her work as governor and ambassador, but noted that she could have been more clearer when speaking to Capitol rioters. While Haley did not directly reply to Hemphill, she indicated she would have been equally clear if the question had been phrased differently.
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