Nikki Haley is consolidating the 2024 'Never Trump' vote - POLITICO
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Nikki Haley is consolidating the 'Never Trump' vote
The former South Carolina governor is drawing support from Trump-skeptical donors and activists in early nominating states.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks during a town hall on Nov. 17, 2023, in Ankeny, Iowa. | Charlie Neibergall/AP
Two years after Nikki Haley vowed not to challenge Donald Trump for the presidential nomination, the former South Carolina governor who served in his administration and once called him a "friend" is becoming the standard-bearer of the movement to knock him out.
In recent weeks, Haley has drawn a surge in support from Trump-skeptical Republicans across the GOP, including donors and organizers in early voting states. A group of former Tim Scott donors is preparing to host a fundraiser for her in Manhattan. Haley's campaign events in New Hampshire this week required overflow rooms. And in Iowa — where Haley has steeper competition from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — some conservatives are busy corralling support for her.
"Nikki Haley is certainly locking up a lot of the Never Trumpers," said Matthew Bartlett, a Republican operative who has worked on several presidential campaigns and is unaffiliated this cycle. "She also has real room to grow."
Donors getting ready to host Haley in New York on Dec. 4 include two people close to Paul Singer, the hedge fund billionaire who has been critical of Trump. Greg Wendt, a former Scott supporter who has donated to moderate, anti-Trump Republicans such as John Kasich and John McCain, is now expressing interest in Haley, according to a New York City-based Republican fundraiser granted anonymity to speak freely about private conversations. And Doug Gross, a Republican operative who was the Iowa GOP nominee for governor in 2002, told POLITICO he plans to caucus for Haley after surveying the field for months in search of an alternative to Trump.
"Never Trumpers and 'Anybody but Trumpers' are really consolidating around her from a financial standpoint," said Gross, who was chief of staff to former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad.
Haley is benefiting from this recent surge of support. She is now polling ahead of DeSantis in New Hampshire, the first primary state, and in her home state of South Carolina. One recent survey showed her running neck and neck with DeSantis in Iowa.
"I was kind of vacillating between three or four different people," said Carmine Boal, a former state lawmaker from Iowa who said she's supporting Haley because she thinks she is the most likely candidate to topple Trump. "The only thing I knew was I would not support him in the caucuses. … I think [Haley] will do well with the independents, particularly suburban women. And everyone knows elections are won or lost by the independent vote."
Alyssa Farah Griffin, a co-host of "The View" and former Trump White House aide who has been critical of the former president's candidacy, described Haley on Tuesday as "hands down the best option to beat Trump."
Still, Haley is running far behind the former president. And in a party he continues to dominate, consolidating the anti-Trump vote is likely to get Haley only so far. In a still-crowded primary, Haley is in some ways the latest manifestation of the challenge confronting all of them: Run hard against Trump, and turn off those who stick by his side. Support him and lose those desperate for a different choice next year.
"It's a lot of the old-school Republicans who did not like Trump, but voted for him the first time with their fingers crossed, and then refused to vote for him a second time," Sarah Longwell, an anti-Trump Republican who routinely conducts focus groups of GOP voters, said of Haley's sweet spot in the primary electorate.
But that is still not where most of the Republican electorate is.
"I do think that most people seem aware that her path is an extraordinarily narrow one," Longwell said. "I mean, extraordinarily narrow."
Haley is trying to widen that path by appealing to both the MAGA base and the rest of the Republican Party, as well as to its far-right conservatives and more moderate voters. After months of delivering unspecific answers on abortion policy that aimed to show nuance and compassion at the November debate, she voiced support for a state-level, six-week ban during a candidate forum hosted by a conservative evangelical group in Des Moines last week.
That is not unlike how Haley has approached Trump's supporters and detractors, going through phases over the last eight years of opposing and praising Trump — and more recently, doing both.
As governor of South Carolina in 2016, Haley spoke out against Trump becoming the Republican nominee, putting her endorsement behind Sen. Marco Rubio. Then, after Trump's election, her appointment as United Nations ambassador changed her relationship with the now-former president, and she included glowing remarks about Trump in a book she published after leaving the post in 2018.
But Haley in the aftermath of the 2021 riot at the Capitol oscillated between condemning Trump for decisions he made in the White House, to later declaring that conservatives "need him in the Republican Party."
Now on the trail, Haley has sought to hold space for everyone's feelings about Trump, repeatedly saying that he was "the right president at the right time," but criticizing aspects of his foreign policy and personality. Even if she is drawing the support of "Never Trump" Republicans, she isn't campaigning like one, as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie does.
"Where her support comes from are people who are 'Maybe Trump,' the people who voted for Trump twice, would vote for him against Joe Biden in a heartbeat, but are worried or at least interested in who else is out there," said Republican pollster Whit Ayres.
At the moment, it appears to be working, and Haley is about to unleash a torrent of advertising in the final run-up to the early state contests. The Haley camp is currently leading the rest of the field with upcoming television ad reservations. From Thanksgiving week through the Jan. 23 New Hampshire primary, the top two groups to reserve ad time are the Haley campaign and her super PAC, Stand for America Fund Inc.
The Haley campaign so far has booked $4.2 million worth of ads from now to then in Iowa and New Hampshire, while SFA Fund has reserved $3.8 million, according to the tracking firm AdImpact. Haley's campaign announced it plans to reserve a total of $10 million in television, radio and digital ads in the first two states.
DeSantis, meanwhile, has booked $1.5 million on TV in that same time frame — all in Iowa — and his aligned super PAC, Never Back Down, has $3.3 million worth of TV ads on the books in New Hampshire and Iowa ahead of the New Hampshire primary.
DeSantis is still drawing support of his own from some Trump critics: On Tuesday, Bob Vander Plaats, an influential evangelical leader in Iowa, endorsed him. But while people in DeSantis' inner circle downplay Haley's rise, NBC reported Tuesday that the super PAC closely aligned with the Florida governor's campaign is pulling anti-Haley ads in Iowa because they aren't well received.
Haley and her campaign are now taking a victory lap, openly claiming ownership of the No. 2 spot in the race, one that belonged exclusively to DeSantis for months.
"There is a growing consensus that Nikki Haley is the best challenger to take on Donald Trump and Joe Biden," Olivia Perez-Cubas, Haley's spokesperson, said in a statement to POLITICO. "This is a two-person race — between one man and one woman."
On Tuesday, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said, "Ron DeSantis must be devastated his Never Trump sugar daddies have found someone new."
The DeSantis campaign declined to respond to Cheung's comment.
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But will it be enough to unseat Trump?
Let's hope so.
That still seems very unlikely. But we still have time for unexpected conditions to emerge that derail Trump's stranglehold.
I hope she can over take him
If only.
As the talking heads on the NFL say, "There's a lot of game left to play." It will be interesting no matter the outcome.
I expect to be disappointed with the electorate ... again.
The best thing that could happen for America right now is a pair of TIAs. I realize that's an awful thing to say and I don't wish one on either man, but FFS this is awful.
Amazing, is it not, how degraded our political system has become to wind up with candidates like these for the highest office in the land.
Yes, an old crook and an older incompetent.
If only in a very masochistic manner
Trump was unseated in 2020. Only he and MAGA disagree.
Is MAGA now a noun that equates to low IQ fascist morons?
No.
... a woman, with immigrant parents from india, that said she would pardon trump, representing the GOP for POTUS. heh, good luck with that...
She's got a better shot moving independents away from the Dems than Trump does, but I'm skeptical she's got enough momentum to get the nomination.
I agree, but that's a precarious tightrope to walk while she still has to suck up to the psychotic base that votes in the rwnj primaries. whatever happens, it's bound to be hilarious up to and through their convention.
Biden is doing that.
I'm not convinced that's really happening either. Disapproval polls are one thing, but when rubber meets the road people will vote against who they think is the worst of the two. Personally, if it comes down to it I'll vote against Trump again.
There weren't very many reasons to vote against Biden in 2020. That has changed dramatically.
Used to work at KNI and Meningers in Topeka.
Don't find mental illness to be a joking matter.
[deleted]
What caused all of the Germans to become mentally ill in the 30’s? What cured them, WW II?
Yes.
People were demonstrating in European capitals chanting:
Germany Shall Be Free
From the River to the Sea".
and
Free, free Germany!
The demonstrators wanted a cease fire.
But the Allies refused.
They wanted to keep fighting until Naziism was destroyed.
And Nazism was Destroyed!!!
That's quite an overgeneralization.
Yes-- true for many people. Sometimes.
On occasion, I myself have voted against a particular candidate instead of voting "for" some I liked-- there was no one running that I liked.
But sometimes some people see a candidate they like and enthusiastically vote for them. Many Republicans are Trump supporters & really like him-- just look at the polls. Some Republicans and many Independents however don't see any candidate they like, so they're voting against the one they like the least-- the one whom they feel will do the least damage!!!!
This lifelong independent is seeing conservatives as being evil more and more these days.
The far right no longer cares for the rule of law.
The far right no longer cares for reality.
The far right doesn't understand empathy.
The far right has gone to the dark side.
The far right only understands greed.
The far right only understands hate of the other.
The far right wing must have control over women.
The far right are now nothing but fascists.
Biden is less imaginative than beige paint. If you want to convince me, and others, you'll have to do better. On the other side is Trump's grievance tour. His platform is an authoritarian wet dream that should concern anyone who believes in basic democracy. I guess at this point we might infer, at least half the country either doesn't believe in democracy OR doesn't care.
I care, and the efficient side of me wants trump to win in '24, because I know what will happen to him and his supporters with the first unconstitutional move towards autocracy...
So a four armed imaginary god is equated with a small-dicked fool?
So a four armed imaginary god is equated with a small-dicked fool?
I personally don't worship any Hindu God-- regardless of how many arms they may have. However I do especially like Lakshmi:
In fact I've done Feng Shui and even have a small picture of Lakshmi in the "Prosperity Corner" of my Living Room. (Other things in that corner are: A small wooden dragon, Bamboo, Jade Plant, and a small Purple Geode, all Chinese symbolism).
My Feng Shui* is very Ecumenical as its usually done with only Chinese objects-- not Indian!
______________________________
*If you don't know what Feng Shui is ask Buzz.
Shiva likely looks after me. 69 and still alive.
I just googled her. She's pretty much a Conservative Republican. Apparently her parents were immigrants, Sikhs (a unique religion that's very much like Hinduism) but converted to Christianity in 1997. She attends Methodist services regularly, but occasionally goes to Sikh services).
Apparently that is frowned on by some.
Just about everything any politician does is frowned frowned on by some . Strange, eh?
Probably by the same folks who refuse to acknowledge a crisis at the border or the millions who have come or stayed illegally, but legal immigrants from India??
She's a conservative Republican-- so surprise! She's frowned on by a lot of Progressives and other Dems. Who knew?
I doubt if the fact that her family immigrated is a factor. And anyway, now she's kosher-- she's converted to Christianity..
(Peace be Upon Her !).
But in addition she's now frowned upon . . . by Trump. Hmmmmmm. (I wonder what nasty name he is calling her?)
Not acceptable for some strange reason.
What-- a politician (any politician!) not being acceptable for some strange reason? I am shocked-- shocked I tell you.*
_________________________________
* Play it Sam. A kiss is just a kiss. But we'll always have Paris, even though this may be the start of a beautiful friendship. Your winnings Sir!
Well, I myself am not overly concerned about where the parents of all the candidates come from. In fact, I'm also not overly concerned about the concerns of voters that may or may not care about where a candidates parents are from.
You mean she wasn't actually born in South Carolina?
Where did your ancestors come from tex?
Who converted to Christianity . . .
This might comes as a shock to some people, but I'm not really all that concerned about whether or not a person who is a Christian was born a Christian-- or converted.
Any belief in mythology and superstition is pretty much like any other.
Some weak brains just need an escape goat.
Could it be that she was pressured into it?
No! Trump is the MAGA Man The gop must nominate Trump! Go MAGA!
There are way too many Republicans who think Trump has never done anything wrong for Nikki Haley to have a realistic shot.
There are way too many right wing populists who think Trump is a political victim.
Yes, but not nearly enough to win the election.
Don't confuse not knowing with not caring.
Haley’s a war hawk neocon, no thanks.
Who do you prefer?
Who do you prefer?
Well, as someone here said:
What kind of 'common sense' would lead you to believe that JBB thinks he can control the GOP?
Now I don't know if JBB is an actual Magician or not-- but if he does in fact have those sorts of magickal powers, then I'd I definitely prefer JBB.
(Full Disclosure: Yes I do believe in Magicke! In fact I've been learning how to do it myself, albeit a bit slowly).
Where is Veronica when we need her...???
)
(I'm trying to remember the spell I learned to summon people forth)
Magical powers would be quite a plus for a PotUS.
Actually now that I reconsider that-- I'm wishing that some of the voters had magickal powers!
Thread 3 was locked to keep it from getting worse. charger
If Nikki Haley does emerge as the only and final competition for Trump for the GOP nomination, he will start attacking her like nothing we've ever seen before in party primaries. I'm thinking something along the lines of "her father helped Hinkley shoot Ronald Reagan", and her daughter is a dog face who had four abortions..
I like that-- that one's pretty good actually.
When I was a kid we had some very picturesque phrases for "cursing" someone's mother:
Your mutha's a skin diver for Roto-Rooter.
You Mutha's's so low she has to look up to look down!
(Which is sort of creative..in a way...)
Your mutha wears Combat Boots!
(That was actually used more for "old lady teachers" than "mutha's"), mutha's who wore those high "old lady shoes" that laced way up)
Yer mutha does it with everyone on the block!
(We started using that one when we were pretty young-- we were too young to know what "doing it" was, but figured it was something pretty bad).
Not bad.
But to give it even more "Ooomph" I would modify it slightly:
Your youngest daughter is the first of you mother's four abortions-- and won't be the last! (Acting crude and stupid is in many ways an art form, n'est-ce pas?)
Trump supporters are more concerned about his revenge and retribution than having an actual functioning government. The more he amps up the rhetoric, the more supportive they get. She’s not going to peel these creatures away from him. Without them she has no shot. This is what we have become.
seen on truth social
How long have you had an account there?
I use it on the days Three Stooges films are not available for streaming.
I think that you’re partially right, but they would disagree with you about what a functioning government does. Many think that our government has failed them.
I’ll be the first to admit that our federal government is one of the most inefficient and dysfunctional entities this country has ever produced, but there’s a big difference between pruning a tree and yanking it out by its roots.
Trump has no concern for the constitution and would much rather be anointed king by his followers. Therefore there is no concern given to anyone or anything but Trump himself. His minions either don not want to or cannot think beyond him achieving power to the obvious and frightening possibility of what the nation would look like if he achieved even a part of his stated goals.
Well bully on them. What has it done or not done? You're saying that it failed them. Failed them how?
... a koch endorsement won't hurt either.