Haley Noncommittal on Previous RNC Pledge to Support GOP Nominee, Says Focused on Winning Race Against Trump

Presidential candidate Nikki Haley says she is focused on her campaign and can’t allow any thoughts about losing into her mind.

 

Nikki Haley, the Republican presidential hopeful and former U.N. Ambassador, is seen interacting with her supporters after a campaign event in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, on February 1, 2024. (Photo credit: Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and current GOP presidential contender, has emphasized her focus on her ongoing campaign, stating she hasn’t dwelled on the pledge she made to the Republican National Committee (RNC) to back the eventual Republican nominee.

During the initial stages of the presidential race, GOP contenders participating in televised debates were obligated to sign a pledge committing to support the eventual victor, regardless of identity.

In a March 3 interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Haley indicated that she no longer feels bound by her prior commitment. She clarified that she hasn’t yet contemplated endorsing the GOP presidential nominee, citing her current status in the race and her determination to avoid thoughts of potential defeat.

“When you discuss endorsements, you’re essentially discussing defeat. That’s not how I operate during a campaign. I don’t entertain thoughts of losing. My focus remains on moving forward,” she expressed.

“What I can say is I don’t believe either Donald Trump or Joe Biden should hold the presidency; I don’t see the necessity for two candidates in their 80s,” she elaborated.

Furthermore, Ms. Haley emphasized that she believes the public prefers presidential candidates who refrain from resorting to insults during public engagements.

“I believe what people truly desire is a fresh leader from a new generation who embodies the essence of the American dream. Someone who can steer us toward a future we envision for our children, and restore a sense of pride in our nation,” she stated.

Age has become a contentious issue in the current election cycle. President Joe Biden, aged 81, has faced growing scrutiny due to various verbal and physical missteps, raising concerns about his cognitive abilities. During a recent press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre informed reporters that the president’s physician and a neurologist had cleared him for duty, deeming a cognitive test unnecessary.

Simultaneously, Democrats have attempted to redirect attention to the age of former President Donald Trump, who will turn 78 in June. In a video shared on the social media platform Truth Social on Feb. 28, former President Trump alleged that Democrats have initiated a disinformation campaign against him to divert attention from Joe Biden’s purported “mental and physical” condition.

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Haley has yet to entertain the notion of losing.

The Republican presidential primary commenced on January 15th with the Iowa caucuses, followed by New Hampshire. Currently, President Trump and Ms. Haley are the only remaining GOP candidates in the race after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy withdrew. Former President Trump leads with 244 delegates, while Ms. Haley has 24. A minimum of 1,215 delegates is required to secure the GOP nomination and vie for the presidency.

Ms. Haley asserted that regardless of the outcome, she will ultimately “make the decision I deem appropriate” regarding whom to endorse if she fails to secure the 2024 presidential nomination. While she previously made the RNC pledge, she did not indicate in her recent NBC interview that she would uphold it.

She explained, “During the debate, the requirement was to affirm support for the nominee, and in order to participate in the debate, one had to comply. However, the current RNC differs from the organization at that time.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Haley emphasized her ongoing focus on securing the 2024 GOP nomination and nothing else.

“That’s not occupying my thoughts. While others may dwell on it, I’m concentrating on the thousands of individuals who joined us in Virginia, as we gear up for North Carolina and beyond. Our aim is to demonstrate that there’s a viable path ahead,” she declared.

Ms. Haley also clarified her stance on running as a third-party “No Labels” candidate, affirming she will not pursue such a route. She reiterated that she is not “anti-Trump” but rather seeking support from Republicans seeking an alternative to the former president.