Ambassador Nikki Haley faced intense criticism Wednesday night during the final Republican primary debate of the 2023 off-season. Her campaign was criticized for what opponents say is a weak and insufficiently conservative record on social issues such as ESG, transgender policy and free speech. .
”“Nikki Haley, every time the media goes after her, every time the left comes, she capitulates,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said during the debate over transgender bathroom bills and when each governor as governor In the discussion session, he explained how he approached this issue.
“You killed it, I signed it, I stood up for our little girls,” DeSantis said, adding that the two had gone back and forth on previous statements and positions, enough to push the bathroom bill. He accused Haley of not taking appropriate action.
Haley has also been accused by opponents of not being conservative enough on ESG issues, meeting with ESG advocates and accepting money from Democratic donors.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), former South Carolina Governor, and the United Nations speak while gesturing during the 4th Republican presidential primary debate held at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on December 6, 2023. Ambassador Nikki Haley. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Vivek Ramaswamy, who accused Haley of “identity politics,” criticized her meeting with ESG advocate Larry Fink of BlackRock.
“Larry Fink, one of Nikki Haley’s biggest supporters, is the woke industrial complex, king of the ESG movement, CEO of BlackRock, the most powerful company in the world, and now Nikki Haley. ,” Ramaswamy said, adding about the launch of his own campaign. The video “sounded like a woke Dylan Mulvaney Bud Light ad talking about how she would wear heels at her first debate.”
”I took $2 billion from BlackRock,” DeSantis said. “We took action. This ESG, they call it environmental, social governance. And again, Nikki is meeting with all these people. They are trying to impose left-wing policies on the country.”
Haley gains momentum as Republican rivals step up attacks: ‘They know we’re gaining momentum’
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Former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswami attend the Fourth Annual Meeting at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on December 6, 2023. Participated in the Republican presidential primary debate. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Both Ms. DeSantis and Ms. Ramaswamy promoted the idea that Ms. Haley received money from liberal donors. gave her a super PAC If she donates $250,000 this week, she will continue to benefit her donors.
”“Nicki will bow to the big donors when the time comes,” DeSantis said.
Ms Haley was also criticized for her record on free speech in relation to previous comments in which she said the government was cracking down on anonymous accounts online.
“This is important, especially given that conservatives have been attacked, lost their jobs, and been fired,” DeSantis said, noting that the authors of the Federalist Papers used pseudonyms. “You know, the regime will use it as a weapon against its own people.”
Ramaswamy went on to say that his position was “more dangerous than the Democratic Party.”
“You’re a liar,” Hailey retorted.
Haley also faced similar criticism on social media during the debate, related to her perceived comfort with liberal donors.
“What’s not good is that Nikki Haley is delving into all the issues that matter most to the Republican Party,” says political strategist David Poliansky. Posted in X. “She sold out her parents, conservative principles, and our party to side with Democratic donors.”
Ramaswamy sparks social media fire over ‘Nikki = Corruption’ sign during Republican debate
![Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to media members](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/08/1200/675/DESANTIS-BUS.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
CHARITON, Iowa – JULY 27: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to members of the media after an event on Thursday, July 27, 2023 in Chariton, Iowa. Floria Gov. and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis visited several communities in central Iowa on Thursday. Mr. DeSantis has gradually fallen in the polls as the gap between him and former President Trump widens. ((Sergio Flores, Washington Post, via Getty Images))
Haley, whose campaign was the top Google search result on the night of the debate, at one point dismissed much of the criticism from her opponents as “jealous” and “I wish I had supported her.” ” and dismissed it.
In her response to the debate, Haley addressed criticism that she would be beholden to liberal donors and ESG advocates.
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“What Ron is saying is not true,” Haley said. “But if people at a company suddenly say they want to support us, we’ll accept that. But I don’t ask them what they stand for. They tell me my policy. I ask them what it is and I tell them what it is. Sometimes they agree with me, and sometimes they don’t. ”
Haley’s spokesperson, Ken Farnaso, said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the attacks on Haley during the debate were a sign of desperation.
“This is the sign of a desperate and defeated candidate, and Ron DeSantis is defeated and also desperate,” Farnaso said.
“Everyone knows that Nicki was the conservative, outsider governor of South Carolina. She took on the establishment and Barack Obama and won. She cracked down on illegal immigration and introduced electronic verification. “We won our Second Amendment rights and signed the nation’s first anti-BDS bill. Ron DeSantis lost.” The more he loses, the more he lies.”