Politics

Trump ally turned rival Haley faces skepticism at CPAC

Oxon Hill, Maryland, Mar 3 (EFE).- Nikki Haley, who served in Donald Trump’s administration, made a bid here Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) to present herself as a youthful alternative to the billionaire in the fight for the 2024 Republican nomination for president of the United States.

Trump and Haley, a former governor of South Carolina, are the only declared candidates so far.

“We’ve lost the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections. Our cause is right, but we have failed to win the confidence of a majority of Americans. That ends now. If you’re tired of losing, then put your trust in a new generation. And if you want to win – not just as a party, but as a country – then stand with me,” the 51-year-old Haley said.

The woman Trump appointed to represent the US at the United Nations recalled her words when she announced her candidacy.

“When I launched my campaign, I said every politician over 75 years old should be required to take a mental competency test. Have you seen DC lately? We should start with Joe Biden – and we shouldn’t stop there,” Haley said.

While her swipe at 80-year-old Democratic President Biden went over well, the implied allusion to Trump, who is 76, was not particularly appreciated by an audience where supporters of the former president were in the majority.

In recent years, the annual CPAC event has been dominated by people who identify with Trump and his mantra of Make America Great Again (MAGA).

And Friday’s program included sessions with the mogul’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and sometime-adviser Steve Bannon.

One of Trump’s most prominent allies in Congress, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, also spoke Friday and had discouraging words for Haley.

After saying that other Republican presidential hopefuls were welcome at CPAC, Greene reiterated her commitment to Trump and predicted that he will win.

“I’ve never listened to Nikki Haley and I don’t think she’s going to do very well in the primary,” the controversial lawmaker said.

EFE ssa/dr

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