On the New Hampshire campaign trail, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley voiced concerns about Donald Trump’s close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During her campaign stop in Keene, Haley expressed worries about Trump’s “bromance” with Putin and questioned his mental fitness for the presidency. ( 📈 Response of New Hampshire Voters to Trump’s Polarizing Final Statement ) Referring to the pressures of the presidency, she emphasized the need for a leader without uncertainties about their mental capacity. Notably, she addressed Trump’s recent rally blunder where he mistakenly called Nancy Pelosi “Nikki Haley” multiple times, raising further questions about his fitness for office. (bbc.com)
Haley’s critique stems from her past experiences as a vocal Putin critic during her tenure at the United Nations. ( 📰 The Biden Administration Reportedly Spent More Than $136 Billion Amidst Bypassing Legal Challenges )
In 2018, she condemned Putin’s “outlaw actions” following the Russian attack on Ukrainian ships. (cnbc.com) Her stance highlighted a stark contrast to Trump’s defense of Putin in Helsinki, where he downplayed Russian interference in the 2016 election, drawing criticism even from fellow Republicans. ( 🔗 Biden Plans Tax Increase to Support Social Security Amid Polling Challenges Against Trump Before General Election ) (alternet.org) Figures like Paul Ryan and John McCain publicly rebuked Trump’s deference to Putin, with McCain calling it “disgraceful.”
Haley’s current efforts to secure support in New Hampshire ahead of the primary reveal a significant gap in the polls, with her trailing Trump by around 13 percentage points. As she navigates this political landscape, her outspoken criticism of Trump’s connections with Putin adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing political discourse.
The New Hampshire primary becomes a pivotal battleground, reflecting not only the candidates’ political positions but also the voters’ concerns about leadership and international relations. (realclearpolling.com)
