Vantage | Why Nikki Haley's one win could change the US Presidential race

In the midst of an election year in America, all eyes are once again turning towards the potential rematch between former president Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. However, a surprising challenger has emerged in the form of Nikki Haley, introducing a new dynamic to the Republican primary race.

Current landscape As the Republican pool witnesses various contenders like Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy and even Mike Pence, none seem to stand up against the formidable presence of Donald Trump. The former president continues to maintain a clear lead within his party and among the general public, leading in both states and polls across the nation. Despite Trump’s consistent lead, an unexpected shift is occurring in New Hampshire, where Trump’s once substantial lead has diminished to single digits. The contender causing this shift is none other than Nikki Haley, making her a wildcard candidate with a noteworthy surge in the polls. Nikki Haley’s background Nikki Haley, born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa in South Carolina to Indian immigrants, boasts an impressive political career. Rising through the ranks from state legislature to serving as the Governor of South Carolina and later as the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Haley became the first Indian American to be on a presidential cabinet. In New Hampshire, Trump polls at 39 per cent, while Nikki Haley is hot on his heels at 32 per cent. This unexpected competition has brought attention to Haley’s campaign leading to questions about her potential to challenge Trump on a larger scale. Nikki Haley’s campaign is fuelled by a message of ending national self-loathing and restoring love for America. “And when I become president, we will end this national self-loathing that’s taking over our country, where people say America’s bad or America’s rotten or America’s racist. We will go back to where we say we love America,” said Haley. As a candidate, she needs three crucial elements: money, media focus and momentum. With the first two secured, winning New Hampshire could provide the momentum she needs to challenge Trump on a national scale. Trump’s response and attacks Recognising the potential threat, Donald Trump has intensified his attacks on Haley in recent weeks. Questioning the citizenship status of her parents and portraying her as a globalist, Trump aims to discredit Haley and maintain his dominance within the Republican Party. “Nikki Haley has been in the pocket of the open borders establishment donors her entire career. And she’s a globalist, you know, she likes the globe. I like America first. The people in this room like America first,” said Trump. Haley’s unique appeal Unlike Trump’s anti-immigration stance, Haley represents a more establishment Republican view. She aligns with conservative values, supporting tax cuts and reduced government spending. However, her moderate approach, especially on issues like abortion could make her more appealing to a broader range of voters. Haley’s pragmatic and middle-ground approach positions her as an alternative for voters who may find neither Biden nor Trump appealing. Her relative youth and moderation could make her the go-to candidate for swing voters looking for a more balanced option. “It is the right thing that unelected justices no longer decide this, and it’s in the hands of the people. I appreciate that Texas went more on the pro-life side, but as we go through this – listen, my heart broke for her because I had trouble having my children. These – the states are now going to have to look at these because what we don’t want to see is a woman with a rare condition having to carry a baby until term,” said Haley As the New Hampshire primary on 23 January approaches, all eyes are on Nikki Haley. If she manages to secure a victory, it could reshape the Republican presidential race, challenging the notion that Trump is unbeatable. Haley’s unique appeal and moderate stance may offer a compelling alternative for voters seeking change, setting the stage for a potentially historic battle for the Republican nomination. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.