Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley expressed confidence on Tuesday that her campaign will gain momentum in New Hampshire after finishing third in the Iowa caucuses.
During an interview with "CBS Mornings" following the caucuses, Haley highlighted her focus on telling voters in New Hampshire the "hard truth" throughout her months of campaigning.
"We have dedicated 11 months to campaigning in New Hampshire, engaging with voters in the traditional New Hampshire way. We have made sure to address every question, shake every hand, and be the last person to leave," Haley stated. "We will continue our efforts this entire week, building on what we have accomplished in the past 11 months. Our proximity to Trump shows that we are on the right track and will only grow stronger in New Hampshire."
Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and her Republican rivals are making their way to New Hampshire ahead of the state's Jan. 23 Republican presidential primary, which is the first of the primary nominating contests. According to a CBS News poll conducted in December, Haley has emerged as the leading alternative to former President Donald Trump in New Hampshire, with 29% of likely GOP primary voters supporting Haley compared to Trump's 44%.
However, Trump still maintains a significant lead over his Republican opponents and recently won the Iowa caucuses with 51% of the vote, becoming the first GOP candidate to ever surpass the 50% mark in the state. The caucuses allocated 40 delegates out of over 2,400 nationwide, and Trump secured 20 of them with his victory.
In the Iowa caucuses, Haley came in third place, closely trailing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
"It's a marathon. It's not a sprint, and we're taking it one step at a time," Haley said during an interview on "CBS Mornings." "Iowa was very favorable to us, but we're extremely excited to be here in New Hampshire and further strengthen our campaign."
Haley emphasized that the primary contests in New Hampshire and South Carolina, scheduled for Feb. 24, are essentially "two-person" races and positioned herself as a "new generational leader."
"I don't believe he needs to be the next president. I will be the next president," she stated in reference to Trump. "Our goal is to move forward, leaving him behind in the conversation, and focus on the solutions of the future rather than the chaos of the past."
Nikki Haley Announces Candidacy for President, Criticizes Trump and Biden
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley has officially announced her candidacy for president, taking aim at both former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. Haley, a Republican, made the announcement during a press conference, where she highlighted the need for a new generational leader.
When asked about Trump's fitness to be president, Haley deflected but noted that "chaos follows him." She emphasized the importance of stability and expressed concern about having "a country in disarray" and "a world on fire" for another four years.
In her criticism of both Trump and Biden, Haley focused on their ages and argued that many Americans are looking for a leader with "new solutions, no vendettas, no vengeance, no drama." She stressed the need for someone who will fight for the American people and deliver results.
On social media, Haley also announced that she would only participate in future debates if they were against either Trump or Biden. She called out Trump for avoiding previous debates and stated, "He has nowhere left to hide."
The next debate Haley participates in will be with either Trump or Biden, and she expressed her anticipation for the opportunity.
Source: Nikki Haley's Twitter
