In a live interview from Iowa, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley responded to recent controversies surrounding her campaign. Haley, who has been steadily gaining traction in the polls, addressed a leaked tape featuring Governor Chris Christie's comments about her.
Haley shrugged off the incident, stating, 'It's not a surprise. These fellows have been talking like that from the beginning.' She emphasized that her campaign has focused on building relationships with voters on the ground and gaining their trust, which has led to her current position as a top contender alongside Donald Trump.
When questioned about her perceived lack of appeal among the base of the Republican Party, Haley contended that she is indeed listening to the people. She highlighted her extensive efforts in engaging with voters through over 150 town halls and addressing their concerns. Haley stressed that her focus is on policy and delivering results, not engaging in personal politics. She cited the need to address issues such as the economy, inflation, and securing the border.
Responding to Trump's claim that she had promised not to run, Haley explained that circumstances had changed, particularly due to events like the Afghanistan withdrawal, rising inflation, and disappointing midterm losses. She emphasized that her goal was to win the presidency and highlighted polling data that suggested she could beat Joe Biden by double digits.
Regarding her rival, Ron DeSantis, whom she sparred with during a recent debate in Iowa, Haley labeled his statements as lies and criticized his campaign for resorting to falsehoods. She reiterated her commitment to continue fighting for every vote in Iowa and emphasized her prospects in subsequent primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Haley was also asked to respond to Elon Musk's recent remarks about her tenure on the Boeing board. She defended her association with Boeing, citing the company's contributions of jobs to South Carolina. Haley clarified that she had opposed corporate bailouts when Boeing sought them and distanced herself from the idea of woke politics, emphasizing the importance of focusing on economic growth and individual freedom.
Concluding the interview, Haley expressed her confidence in the support she enjoys in her home state of South Carolina, alongside Tim Scott and Donald Trump. She believed that South Carolina voters would carefully scrutinize the candidates and select the one who had fought for them and produced tangible results.
