According to Newsweek, Nikki Haley, a prominent figure in the Republican party, has issued a cautionary note to her party members.
She anticipates that President Joe Biden might not be the Democratic nominee for the upcoming presidential election, following a less than stellar performance in a debate against former President Donald Trump.
In a post on X, a platform that has replaced Twitter, Haley, who was once a contender against Trump for the Republican nomination, stated, "Mark my words....Biden will not be the Democrat nominee. Republicans, get your guard up!" This statement has sparked a flurry of speculation and discussion among political circles.
The debate between Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, left the Democratic party in a state of unease, reigniting concerns about the president's age. Biden's verbal stumbles during the debate, including a perplexing moment where he spoke about defeating Medicare, did little to assuage these fears. His raspy voice also raised eyebrows, although a Biden aide attributed this to a cold.
Vice President Kamala Harris defended Biden in a post-debate interview with CNN, acknowledging that the president had a "slow start." However, she stood by him, reinforcing his position within the party.
A poll conducted by The New York Times/Sienna College in October suggested that a hypothetical Democratic candidate could potentially lead over Trump if Biden were not on the ballot. The poll revealed that 48 percent of respondents would likely vote for "the Democratic candidate," as opposed to 40 percent who would vote for Trump if Biden were not the nominee.
However, a study by Stack Data Strategy in November found that Trump could still triumph over other potential candidates such as Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom, should Biden be replaced. Joe Bedell, Head of Stack Data Strategy in North America, stated, "Despite recent calls for change, our polling also shows that neither party would benefit from a change in candidate, President Trump would beat both of Biden's possible replacements by an even greater margin."
Haley's post elicited a variety of responses online. One user confidently stated, "Why? Trump is solid. We aren't afraid of anyone. Americans know Biden isn't running things. This wasn't new what we saw today. It's the same people behind Biden that will be behind whoever they replace him with." Another user humorously retorted, "Mark my words... Nikki Haley will not be the Republican nominee."
Haley's political career began in the South Carolina House of Representatives. In 2010, she made history by becoming the first female governor of South Carolina. She later served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under the Trump administration until 2018. In February 2023, Haley announced her candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, becoming the first significant Republican to challenge Trump. However, she suspended her campaign in March 2024 after falling behind Trump in a heated exchange of words.
As the 2024 presidential election looms, the political landscape remains uncertain. The potential for change is palpable, and the question of who will ultimately represent the Democratic party remains unanswered.
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