Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley got a boost in advance of Super Tuesday when she scored the endorsements of two Republican senators who like her, detest GOP frontrunner Donald J. Trump.
The establishment favorite picked up the nods of Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) days before the critical day in the political season when Haley badly needs a strong showing in the states with open primaries to maintain the illusion that she’s a viable candidate.
Honored to receive the endorsement of Sen. @lisamurkowski! She’s a tough, independent voice for Alaska, and I’m grateful for her support! Alaska votes in just four days. Let’s go!
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) March 1, 2024
“I’m proud to endorse Gov. Nikki Haley,” Sen. Murkowski said in a statement. “America needs someone with the right values, vigor, and judgment to serve as our next President — and in this race, there is no one better than her. Nikki will be a strong leader and uphold the ideals of the Republican Party while serving as a President for all Americans.”
Susan Collins of Maine gave Haley the nod in remarks to the local Bangor Daily News, saying she was “extremely well-qualified” to be president.
“She has the energy, intellect, and temperament that we need to lead our country in these very tumultuous times,” Collins said with Haley’s campaign confirming the endorsement to NBC News.
Haley has yet to nail down the coveted Mitt Romney endorsement but if Collins and Murkowski have thrown in with her it’s probably only a matter of time until Pierre Delecto does too.
Recently praised by Democrat California Gov. Gavin Newsom as “one of our better surrogates,” Haley left the door open that she may endorse Joe Biden for president when asked whether she would honor the RNC pledge to back her party’s nominee.
“So you’re no longer bound by that pledge?” Haley was asked by “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker.
Nikki Haley suggests she may not endorse Trump when he wins the nomination.
“The RNC is now not the same RNC.” pic.twitter.com/o6rIfOK77l
— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) March 3, 2024
“No, I think I’ll make what decision I want to make, but that’s not something I’m thinking about,” Haley said, adding. “if you talk about an endorsement, you’re talking about a loss. I don’t think like that.”
“When you all ask Donald Trump if he would support me, then I will talk about that. But right now, my focus is, ‘How do we touch as many voters? How do we win?” Haley told Welker.
While the effect of the two RINO senators is unlikely to impress many outside the media studios and newsrooms that have been her biggest cheerleaders, it caps off a bad week for Haley in which the Koch network closed the checkbook on support for her campaign.
Americans For Prosperity Action will stop spending money on behalf of Nikki Haley campaign following her humiliating defeat in her own home turf of South Carolina by 20 points
In an email to staff, the Koch-aligned group said it decided it had to “take stock” of its spending… pic.twitter.com/FSUSz2y1Nb
— Mona Salama (@ByMonaSalama) February 25, 2024
Haley’s losing streak continued on Saturday with drubbings by Trump in the Missouri and Michigan caucuses and the Idaho primary with Trump looking to run the table on Super Tuesday.
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