Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his belief that former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley lacks a strong commitment to conservative values in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. During a radio interview in Haley’s home state, DeSantis claimed that she has not championed significant conservative causes and tends to retreat when confronted by the left.
According to Newsmax, DeSantis specifically referred to Haley’s response to the 2020 George Floyd Black Lives Matter riots, criticizing her for adopting a “left-wing mindset” and endorsing the narrative during that time. He contrasted his own actions of calling out the National Guard and expressing support for the police with Haley’s tweet advocating for a personal and painful experience for everyone, a stance DeSantis found puzzling.
In the context of the upcoming GOP primary in South Carolina, an important battleground state, DeSantis emphasized the need for leaders who challenge the left’s narrative, positioning himself as the candidate with a proven track record of defeating Democrats on various issues. He acknowledged the significance of South Carolina in securing primary delegate momentum following Iowa and New Hampshire.
Responding to Haley’s $10 million ad buy targeting him after the third GOP primary debate, DeSantis defended his stance on education policies against Disney. He accused Haley of siding with a “woke corporation” and criticized her for not standing up for the innocence of children in the face of a sexualized curriculum. DeSantis argued that Haley tends to conform to elite opinions, media, and big corporations, characterizing it as a predictable pattern in her approach to issues.