How Nikki Haley could beat Trump and the Democrats

[corbe]

How Nikki Haley could beat Trump and the Democrats

by Quin Hillyer

August 23, 2019 01:51 PM

It’s time for Nikki Haley, former U.N. ambassador and former governor of South Carolina, to seriously explore a challenge to Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination.

I'm not kidding — I really think Haley could win.

Not that it would be easy, of course. But it’s doable, if she plays her cards just right. And with Trump becoming more and more volatile, a major challenge to him is necessary as a national safety valve.
 
Let’s talk brass tacks: Why Haley, and how can she win?

Haley is almost certainly the only major Republican who has emerged from the Trump presidency with their reputation and stature actually enhanced. Her poll ratings are sky high. Politically savvy and tough, with a strong sense of mainstream conservative principle, Haley forged an independent identity while representing the United States at the U.N. She stood foursquare for American interests and values, without ever appearing shrill, bullying, or blustering. She was all business, and she followed through.

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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/how-nikki-haley-could-beat-trump-and-the-democrats

[corbe]

[jmyrlefuller]

...but why would she? The moment she turns against Trump, her approval ratings will tank. Ask Amash. Ask Walsh.

So much to lose, so little to gain.

[Maj. Bill Martin]

...but why would she? The moment she turns against Trump, her approval ratings will tank. Ask Amash. Ask Walsh.

So much to lose, so little to gain.

That's exactly it.  One of Haley's biggest strengths was that she left the Administration on good terms with Trump, and therefore also on good terms with the tens of millions who support him.  She'd have been a strong candidate if Trump had decided on his own not to run for a second term.

But if she runs against him, all that goes completely out the window.  Even if she did somehow manage to win the primary -- which is a huge longshot -- a ton of Trump supporters would sit home on election day, and she'd get crushed.