Posted on 10/01/23
| News Source: The Hill
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is coming out of Wednesday night’s debate with a fresh burst of momentum, but members of the party say she still faces a steep hill in toppling former President Trump.
Haley’s Wednesday night performance in Simi Valley, Calif., was lauded by Republicans after she targeted several of her contenders, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.).
Trump took notice, as well. His campaign hit her during the event, and the former president himself lashed out at her Friday on social media, in what some say is an indication she’s being viewed as a more formidable opponent than before.
“Make no mistake, it is a very steep mountain to climb, but she is on her way,” said Republican strategist Matthew Bartlett.
“Anything is possible in presidential politics in American politics,” he added. “I’m certainly not saying that it is likely but you know, more people absolutely know Donald Trump than know Nikki Haley. And people in Iowa and New Hampshire seem to be getting to know her, and they seem to be liking her, and I think that’s only going to increase as they get closer to voting time.”
Haley joined six other contenders at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for the second GOP debate. The event was largely criticized as irrelevant and pointless, and many analysts said it did little to move the needle on a primary that has been dominated by Trump.
Yet some analysts and Republicans saw the night as another bright spot for Haley, who didn’t shy away from calling out some of her opponents on policy issues or political records.
Responding to Ramaswamy’s defense over using the TikTok app after he previously expressed misgivings over it, Haley said, “This is infuriating because TikTok is one of the most dangerous social media apps that we could have. And … honestly, every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber for what you say.”
She notably hit Scott, a fellow South Carolinian, over his record in the Senate, asking: “12 years — where have you been?” It was a move that turned heads, given the two had largely avoided hitting each other during the primary.
Although much of her firepower was aimed at Trump’s primary rivals, Haley also took a jab at the former president over his handling of China.
“This is where President Trump went wrong,” she said. “He focused on trade with China. He didn’t focus on the fact that they were buying up our farmland. He didn’t focus on the fact that they were killing Americans.”