Fresh off of teasing a possible presidential run, former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley took a gentle jab at the man who currently presents her biggest challenge: her former boss, Donald Trump, with whom Haley has had a historically supportive relationship.
“Look, it is time for a new generation. It is time for more leadership,” Haley told Fox News’s Sean Hannity on Friday. “It is time for the fact that we really start to take our country back.”
(Video: Fox News)
“We cannot have another term of Joe Biden,” she continued. “And we have to remember, too – we have lost the last seven out of eight popular votes for president. It is time that we get a Republican in there that can lead and that can win a general election.”
Haley declined to announce her candidacy in front of Hannity’s studio audience, but, as American Wire News reported, she discussed the possibility of running in an exclusive interview with Fox News’s Bret Baier.
“Well I’m not going to make an announcement here, but when you’re looking at a run for president, you look at two things,” Haley told Baier. “You first look at, does the current situation push for new leadership. The second question is, am I that person that could be that new leader, that, yes, we need to go in a new direction. And can I be that leader? Yes, I think I can be that leader.”
Hannity pressed the former South Carolina governor on “policy differences” she has with Trump’s “Make America Great Again, America First agenda.”
Haley refused to take the bait, replying, “Well, I had a great working relationship with him. I consider him a friend.”
“You know, most of the policies that he did, I totally agree with,” she added. “There’s going to be other Republicans in the race, most of them are my friends.”
“Let the best woman win,” she quipped.
With Baier, Haley appeared more determined.
“I was as governor, I took on a hurting state with double-digit unemployment and made it the beast of the southeast,” she said of her experience.
“As ambassador, I took on the world when they tried to disrespect us. And I think I showed what I’m capable of at the United Nations,” she said. “So, do I think I could be that leader? Yes.”
But the reaction to Haley’s possible run for the White House isn’t exactly warm.
“Trump’s base will not support Nikki Haley!” exclaimed one user on Twitter following Haely’s appearance with Hannity.
#Trump's base will not support Nikki Haley! #Hannity
— Everyday AmericanGal🇺🇸 (@EverydayAmeric7) January 21, 2023
Just saw Nikki Haley on hannity, she’s just another politician that can’t answer a question and beats around the bush she gets a big 👎from me
— Justin Moore (@JustinM85870455) January 21, 2023
Big fat NO to Haley.
She's a rino establishment hack.#Hannity— Poppymeadow04 X (@poppymeadow04) January 21, 2023
Haley also took to Twitter, posting a clip from her interview with Hannity.
“It’s time for a new generation. It’s time for new leadership. And it’s time to take our country back,” she tweeted. “America is worth the fight—and we’re just getting started.”
Even that wasn’t enough to rally support.
“Empty slogans,” replied History Channel host Kyle Hunter. “Detailed plans please: border security, China’s influence and control, intelligence community reform, term limits, protections of the Bill of Rights, Freedom of Speech, etc. Not old, trite slogans.”
Empty slogans. Detailed plans please: border security, China's influence and control, intelligence community reform, term limits, protections of the Bill of Rights, Freedom of Speech, etc. Not old, trite slogans.
— Kyle Hunter, FRMetS (@KyleHunter) January 21, 2023
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