Subtle Hints at a Historic Campaign
Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, is making a bid for the presidency, but she’s not making a big deal about the fact that she could be the first female president. However, she does occasionally hint at the historic nature of her campaign. During a recent stop, she responded to a voter’s question about corruption in Washington by saying, “There are no saints in DC right now, but that’s why I think you need a badass woman in charge at the White House.”
Strong Support, But Not Just from Women
As the Republican presidential primary approaches, Haley is attracting larger crowds and enthusiastic applause. Her supporters include both men and women, and not all Republican women are backing her. However, her audiences often include mothers bringing their daughters to see her and older women hoping to witness history. One supporter, retired financial adviser Helene Haggar, said, “It’s time to get the testosterone out of the White House and put a woman in there — but a specific woman. Not Kamala Harris, but Nikki Haley.”
Rejecting Identity Politics
Despite the potential historic nature of her campaign, Haley often rejects identity politics and is careful when discussing gender. However, she does use humor to deflect criticism, as she did during a recent debate when she responded to comments about her donors by saying, “I love all the attention, fellas. Thank you for that.”
Following in the Footsteps of Other Female Candidates
Haley is only the fifth major female candidate to seek the Republican presidential nomination, following Carly Fiorina in 2016, Michele Bachmann in 2012, Elizabeth Dole in 2000, and Margaret Chase Smith in 1964. However, she is keen to distance herself from Hillary Clinton, the only woman to win a major party’s presidential nomination, after a super PAC supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis aired misleading ads suggesting Haley was inspired by Clinton.
Attracting Suburban Women Back to the Republican Party
Haley’s campaign is focused on winning back suburban women who left the Republican Party during the Trump era. Her strong support among women is a key reason why polls show her performing well in a hypothetical contest against President Joe Biden. However, she faces a tough primary race due to Trump’s continued dominance in the party.
Not Using Gender as a Crutch
While Haley acknowledges her gender, she doesn’t use it as a crutch. Erin Jorgensen, an engineer and space physicist who brought her daughter to a recent campaign event, said, “I appreciate the fact that she doesn’t use it as a crutch. Oftentimes, people think, ‘Oh, they’re just going to vote for her because she’s a woman’ or ‘She’s only in this position because she’s a woman.’”
Ready for a Qualified Woman President
Many of Haley’s supporters believe it’s time for a qualified woman to be president. Jorgensen said, “Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean I’m going to vote for you. You have to be the right person, and I’m happy that maybe the right person is finally a woman.”