Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley has intensified her criticism of former President Donald Trump, a shift in tone from her previous reluctance to confront him during his presidency. Haley has been vocal in her disagreement with Trump's recent claims, including his allegation that President Joe Biden would lead the country into World War II (presumably meaning World War III). She has also dismissed Trump's false claim that he ran against former President Barack Obama. Additionally, Trump wrongly accused Haley of keeping security away from the Capitol on January 6th, even though she was not present at the Capitol that day.
Some speculate that Haley's newfound criticism may be coming too late and may not be hitting Trump where it hurts the most. A recent article in The Atlantic suggests that Haley's hesitance to fully confront Trump may reflect her uncertainty about her ability to wrest control of the Republican Party from him. While she is comfortable criticizing Trump on certain points, such as his international relations and fiscal spending, she does not delve into issues like legal cases against him or January 6th insurrection.
Haley's criticism has focused on presenting herself as a more electable candidate, emphasizing her younger age and the need for generational change. However, her criticisms have not resonated strongly with Trump's base, as they tend to align with Reagan-era conservatism rather than directly attacking Trump's authoritarian tendencies or his involvement in the January 6th Capitol attack.
The article highlights the different challenges faced by Haley and Trump. While Haley aims to persuade undecided voters, Trump's challenge lies in energizing his loyal supporters to turn out and vote. Trump has already begun using personal attacks against Haley, hoping to rally his base behind him. However, Haley has refrained from directly responding to these attacks, claiming she does not want to engage in personal attacks.
Despite the criticisms, Haley has managed to outlast many other better-known candidates, positioning herself as a solitary figure in a party either consolidating around Trump or capitulating to him. However, her reluctance to take a more forceful stance against Trump may hinder her ability to rally anti-Trump voters, as she has not effectively conveyed the urgency of avoiding another Trump-Biden matchup.
As the primary race progresses, the political landscape is set to become more challenging for Haley. Nevada presents its own unique challenges, and South Carolina, despite her previous success as governor, remains a state with strong Trump support. The time to make a decisive impact is now, as the opportunity to create a permission structure for voters who do not want a Trump rematch may diminish if Haley does not take a more assertive stance.
