Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential candidate, faces an uphill battle for the nomination against former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who enjoy the support of the majority of GOP primary voters. To distinguish herself from the two frontrunners, Haley has been leaning into culture wars and adopting positions that align more closely with the conservative base.
In a recent CNN town hall, Haley took a distinct approach on issues such as Ukraine, the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol, and federal benefits programs. She broke with Trump by expressing support for continuing the war in Ukraine, a stance that resonates with grassroots Republicans. Additionally, she drew a red line on January 6th, labeling it a “terrible day” and dispelling Trump’s false claims of election fraud. Haley also criticized Trump and DeSantis for their promises not to cut funding for Medicare and Social Security, arguing that realistic cuts are necessary to maintain the programs’ solvency. Although this position may not win her popular support, it helps distance herself from the frontrunners.
However, Haley did align with Trump in criticizing DeSantis’s handling of his feud with Disney over the “Don’t Say Gay” law. She accused DeSantis of wasting public funds by taking the fight to court, an issue that both the left and the right are likely to exploit.
While Haley initially positioned herself as a moderate during her campaign launch, she has since embraced more conservative stances. She has entered the culture wars by speaking out against a trans influencer’s collaboration with Bud Light, leading to a conservative boycott of the brand. Haley also voiced anti-trans rhetoric during the town hall, questioning how girls should accept the presence of biological boys in their locker rooms and raising concerns about teenage girls’ mental health. Additionally, she has declared herself “unapologetically pro-life,” appealing to Republicans who believe that taking a hardline stance on abortion is crucial for electoral success.
Some experts, like South Carolina Democratic strategist Boyd Brown, predict that Haley will continue moving to the right in an attempt to attract Trump and DeSantis supporters. While she may not align completely with Trump, she is likely to position herself closer to him than vocal Trump critic Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas.
Overall, Haley faces a challenging path to the nomination as she attempts to carve out her own lane and appeal to conservative primary voters. With her background as Trump’s US ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina governor, she has a substantial record to run on, but she currently lags behind Trump and DeSantis in the polls.