Staff Reports
In a recent development, former President Donald Trump has shifted his focus from Governor Ron DeSantis to former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in the context of the 2024 primary polls. Trump and his allies are strategically linking Haley to the shadow of former President George W. Bush, whose reputation among Republicans has suffered during the Trump era. The campaign is using social media and email to portray Haley as a "return to Bush," particularly emphasizing her approach to immigration and foreign policy.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has implied that Haley is "Bush in Heels," suggesting she may be inclined to involve the U.S. in conflicts abroad and lacks the resolve to secure the border. Haley's rise in national polling, coupled with support from independent voters, has positioned her as a significant contender. However, her campaign faces criticism due to a substantial donation from a Democratic megadonor to a super PAC supporting her candidacy.
Nikki Haley is “Bush in Heels” and she can’t wait to send our sons to die in every foreign war that establishment Washington lusts to fund, fight, and send American troops to kill and be killed.
She won’t defend our border, she’ll defend everyone else’s border and we’ll pay the… https://t.co/poyzQ13BDw
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) January 4, 2024
Despite the scrutiny, Haley has asserted her conservative credentials, highlighting her legislative and gubernatorial history in South Carolina. She has addressed her immigration plans, emphasizing the needs of local industries and advocating for a more efficient immigration process.
Trump's campaign has responded with a harsh "Kiss of Death" memo, accusing Haley of reviving Bush's amnesty policies and labeling her an "open-border, pro-amnesty Bush acolyte." By linking Haley to Bush's immigration stance, Trump's team aims to sway undecided voters away from supporting her.
The comparison to Bush is not only a critique of Haley's immigration stance but also a strategic move to tap into the declining popularity of Bush within the Republican Party during the Trump era. While Bush's favorability among Republicans decreased, his overall image improved among Democrats and independents after leaving office.
Haley has opted not to directly respond to Trump's attacks, choosing not to distance herself from the tarnished legacy of Bush within the Republican Party. As the 2024 election landscape heats up, the battle between Trump and Haley is expected to intensify as they vie for support among conservative voters.
