Republican Presidential Candidate Nikki Haley Vows to Continue Campaign
Greenville, South Carolina – Highly Respected News Website
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Tuesday reiterated her plans to continue her White House bid against former President Donald Trump, just five days ahead of the South Carolina Primary.
“Some of you—perhaps a few of you in the media—came here today to see if I’m dropping out of the race. Well, I’m not. Far from it,” Haley said in a speech in Greenville.
Haley vowed she is not exiting the race now, saying she will continue to compete in the primary past the South Carolina primary and through Super Tuesday on March 5.
“That’s why I refuse to quit. South Carolina will vote on Saturday. But on Sunday, I’ll still be running for president. I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “I’m campaigning every day, until the last person votes, because I believe in a better America and a brighter future for our kids.”
Challenging Trump for the GOP Nomination
Haley’s remark comes as she continues to challenge Trump for the GOP nomination, though he has won every delegate contest so far and holds a wide lead over Haley in her own home state, making many question the path forward for the former governor’s campaign.
Haley had previously said that she had to do better in the South Carolina primary than she did in New Hampshire primary – where she lost to Trump by 11 points – but she is no longer saying that she must hit that goal.
Polls consistently show Haley trailing Trump in South Carolina by a considerable margin.
“Privately Dread Him” – Claims Haley
Haley made her case for staying in the race by pointing to a number of factors, including her view that some politicians who embrace Trump publicly “privately dread him.”
“Look, I get it. In politics, the herd mentality is enormously strong. A lot of Republican politicians have surrendered to it… Of course, many of the same politicians who now publicly embrace Trump privately dread him. They know what a disaster he’s been and will continue to be for our party. They’re just too afraid to say it out loud,” Haley said.
Offering a Message of Unity
Pitching herself as the best alternative to both President Joe Biden and Trump, Haley again painted both leaders as ”two old men who are only getting older,” and accused them both of polarizing the country.
“The truth is, Americans already know what Joe Biden and Donald Trump will do. But we’re just as concerned with who they are. They’re dividers at a time when America desperately, urgently, needs a uniter,” Haley said as she continued to offer a message of unity.
America is Worth Fighting for
Haley’s speech ended on a visibly emotional note as she highlighted her husband’s current deployment with the South Carolina Army National Guard.
“As I prepare for what lies ahead, Michael is at the front of my mind. I wish Michael was here today, and I wish our children and I could see him tonight. But we can’t,” Haley said, as she began tearing up.
Haley often talks about her husband’s military service on the campaign trail – especially after that service was mocked – but she does not routinely tear up when she reflects on his service.
“Michael is fighting for the country he loves. So are all his brothers- and sisters-in-arms, wherever they’re stationed in our dangerous world. They have made their stand because America is worth fighting and even dying for. Now I will continue to make my stand because America is worth living for,” she added.
