Nikki Haley, the Indian-American Governor of South Carolina, has widely been regarded as a potential vice-presidential running mate for the winner of the Republican presidential nomination, but at least one formidable candidate, front-runner Donald Trump, has now ruled her out.
Trump’s comment on Wednesday caused little surprise, coming as it did a day after Haley indirectly hit out at him for his stinging anti-Muslim and anti-immigrants rhetoric.
Casting Haley as someone “very weak on illegal immigration”, Trump said, “Well, considering I’m leading in the polls by a lot, I wouldn’t say she’s off to a good start (to be his V-P pick). Whoever I pick is also going to be very strong on illegal immigration.”
Trump also sought to take a swipe at Haley saying she used to approach him for substantial campaign contributions.
Haley herself remained unfazed, remarking on morning TV shows that she indeed had Trump in mind when she spoke of the “siren call of the angriest voices” and came out in strong support of legal immigration regardless of race or religion.
“Trump has definitely contributed to what I think is just irresponsible talk,” she said on NBC’s “Today” show.
On the subject of V-P pick, she appeared to be dismissive, telling CBS News that all she wanted to see was a “a good, strong ticket” that addresses solutions to issues such as health care, education, tax reform and national security. “We just want to get some good leadership,” she said.
Asked about her pointed comments while delivering the Republican response to President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address, Haley said: “I wasn’t trying to please everyone. I was given an opportunity to say what I think about the status of the country and I was honoured to do so.”
Her speech drew praise from unlikely quarters, the White House for instance, while the conservatives were quick to denounce it. And supporters of Trump were so riled by Haley remarks that some of them took to Twitter to mock her Indian heritage, even making fun of her given Indian name.
“Her willingness to stand up for some important principles was noted, and it took courage. And for that, she deserves credit,” said Obama’s Press Secretary Josh Earnest. He, however, stressed that the White House does not agree with Haley on everything. “We surely don’t,” he said of the speech that was also critical of Obama’s leadership.
But conservative commentator laura Ingraham attacked Haley, noting in a tweet: “The country is lit up w/ a populist fever & the GOP responds by digging in, criticizing the GOP candidates dominating pollsIJ! NOT SMART.”