Experts suggest the former South Carolina governor is setting herself up for future presidential runs following the latest debate.
Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley maintained the positive momentum she has built up in her presidential campaign during Wednesday night’s GOP primary debate, but experts said that may end up being more beneficial for future White House runs as no one has a chance of taking on Donald Trump in 2024.
Four Republican presidential hopefuls, not including Trump, the overwhelming primary frontrunner, took to the stage in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, for the final live televised GOP primary debate of the year, with the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus just weeks away.
For Haley, the debate was a chance to capitalize on her rising star status in the GOP primary, buoyed by recent high profile endorsements and her strong performances in the previous debates. This positive momentum has resulted in many now considering her, rather than Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, as Trump’s main challenger in the Republican race.
It seemed like the others on stage were wary of Haley’s rise, with DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy aiming numerous attacks towards her, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the out and out anti-Trump primary candidate who only just managed to qualify for Wednesday’s debate, targeting Haley and also defending her from the other candidates.
For her part, Haley seemed to relish the criticism she received from the other candidates on topics such as her recent support from billionaire donors.
