Award Banner
Award Banner

Haley says no to vice presidency as former rival backs Trump

Haley says no to vice presidency as former rival backs Trump
Republican presidential candidate and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign stop at the 603 Grill ahead of the New Hampshire primary election in Milford, New Hampshire, US on Jan 19, 2024.
PHOTO: Reuters

MANCHESTER — Nikki Haley made it clear to New Hampshire voters on Jan 19: She will not serve as former president Donald Trump's vice-president if he wins the Republican nomination.

Haley, who is challenging Trump for the Republican presidential nod, has long said she will not "play for second".

But in touring the independent-leaning state this week, she explicitly ruled out being a running mate in November, media reports said.

"I don't want to be anybody's vice-president. That is off the table," she told voters at a diner stop in Amherst, New Hampshire on Jan 19, Politico and the Washington Post reported.

"I have always said that. That is a game they play that I'm not going to play. I don't want to be vice-president," she added, according to the Post.

Haley, who served as Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, is barnstorming New Hampshire ahead of its Jan 23 contest and further distancing herself from Trump in a state known for a more moderate brand of Republicanism.

Its semi-open primary can also draw more centrist voters, who may be turned off by Trump's criminal charges, increasingly authoritarian language and efforts to overturn his 2020 re-election loss.

She must close the gap in Republicans' second primary contest to have any chance at thwarting Trump's momentum after his decisive win in Iowa's caucus on Monday (Jan 15).

Only Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has largely written off New Hampshire to challenge Ms Haley in her home state of South Carolina, remains in the three-way contest for the nomination to challenge Democrat Joe Biden in November.

Earlier in January, Trump said he knows who his running mate will be if he wins the nomination but declined to name anyone.

Here is other news from the campaign trail:

Scott 'excited' for Trump

Read Also
Trump's rise sparks isolationist worries abroad, but voters unfazed
world
Trump's rise sparks isolationist worries abroad, but voters unfazed

Haley faced a blow from her home state on Jan 19, with fellow South Carolinian Tim Scott, a US senator first nominated by Haley, poised to back Trump.

"Oh man. I'm so excited for the announcement tonight," Scott said in a video taken in front of a Trump-marked plane and posted on X. "Let's talk about four more years."

"New Hampshire here we come!" he wrote.

Scott, who had also challenged Trump for the Republican Party's nomination but ended his campaign in 2023, will endorse his former rival at a rally on Jan 19 night in Concord, a source told Reuters.

As South Carolina governor, Haley tapped then US Representative Scott to fill a Senate vacancy in 2012.

"Tim Scott wouldn't have a job without Nikki Haley," New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, a Republican backing Haley, said in a Fox News interview on Jan 19, according to the Washington Post.

"Nobody cares," Sununu said of the endorsement as he chatted with restaurant patrons in Milford, the New York Times reported.

Here today, gone tomorrow

DeSantis would like the people of New Hampshire to know something: He's still here.

The Florida governor called a press conference on Jan 19 at St Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, amid reports that he was abandoning the state.

Polls show DeSantis lagging way behind Trump and Haley ahead of the Jan 23 primary.

He has events scheduled on Jan 20 in South Carolina, which holds a primary in February, and his campaign has not said if he will return to New Hampshire.

He chose St Anselm because it was supposed to host a debate this week, but both Trump and Haley declined to participate, further cutting off DeSantis' political oxygen.

DeSantis was asked if thought he could still win the nomination.

"As long as I'm in the hunt, that tells me that I'm seeing a pathway," he said. "The minute I don't, I'm not going to do this just for my health."

Ron DeSantis making a campaign visit ahead of the New Hampshire primary election at St Anselm College in Goffstown on Jan 19, 2024.
PHOTO: Reuters

If Jan 19 was DeSantis' farewell to the New Hampshire media, he left an impression.

The press conference was scheduled for 3.30pm — outside in the winter cold. Reporters, along with a few die-hard supporters, stood and waited, shivering, for DeSantis to arrive.

The windchill was minus 11 deg C. Some supporters gave up and trickled off, followed by a few members of the media.

"It's not that cold. It's not too too bad," said Katherine Prudhomme O'Brien, 53, of Derry, holding a DeSantis sign. She was jumping up and down to keep herself warm.

"He's lost my vote!" one attendee shouted, and the crowd laughed.

Finally, after nearly an hour, DeSantis' car rolled up and he bounded out without a winter coat, looking like he had just flown in from Tallahassee.

He took a handful of questions and then abruptly cut off the session after about 10 minutes. The crowd groaned.

A minute later, he was gone — off to a town hall in Nashua. Presumably indoors.

Standing up for Joe

Meanwhile, New Hampshire voters will offer a glimpse into Biden's re-election efforts next week — even if his name's not on the ballot.

Read Also
world
US Congress passes bill to avert government shutdown, sends it to Biden

Biden shunned the state's primary contest after it ignored demands to cede its early spot in the campaign calendar to South Carolina, a more populated and diverse state the party has sought to boost along with Nevada.

While the Democratic National Committee has said the New Hampshire contest effectively will not count, residents can still write his name in on the ballot.

"We've got to stand up for Joe Biden," said David Watters, a write-in advocate and Democratic state senator in New Hampshire.

Democratic longshots Dean Phillips, a Minnesota congressman, and self-help author Marianne Williamson are seeking to challenge Biden.

Married couple Elliot and Edith Smith plan to vote for Biden in the state's primary — but not enthusiastically, citing concerns about the 81-year-old's age.

"I am disgusted with both parties, but we can't elect Trump," said Elliot Smith.

"I'm a Democrat, but would consider other Republicans like Haley or Christie in the general election, but there's no chance they can beat Trump."

ALSO READ: A day in Trump's world: Morning in courtroom, evening on campaign trail

Source: Reuters

homepage

trending

trending
    GE2025: Police aim to have 2 rally sites per GRC, 1 per SMC
    'Exceptional bravery': 4 primary school kids lauded for helping save worker with CPR during cardiac arrest
    'I've to legally adopt my own daughter': Actress Shirli Ling shares little-known fact about kids born out of wedlock
    Cat A COE premiums rise sharply in second bidding exercise for February 2025
    Kranji recycling company catches fire again, third reported incident since 2018
    'She taught me Singlish': Chow Yun Fat jokes why he didn't ask Singaporean wife for help with his English lines
    Budget 2025: Singapore children aged 12 and below to get $500 LifeSG credits
    Ahoy! Disney Adventure cruise adds new immersive experiences to line-up, including Duffy and Friends
    'I tried to put us on the world map': Chef Mathew Leong on culinary Olympics achievement, hopes to boost Singapore's food scene
    'Grateful to have met each other': Michelle Chen and Chen Xiao announce divorce after months of speculation
    Ex-Mediacorp actor Dai Xiangyu joins Chinese acting reality show, ignored by Francis Ng

Singapore

Singapore
    • WP chief Pritam Singh fined $7,000 for each charge of lying to Committee of Privileges
    • 2 men seen brawling at Causeway in viral video, Johor police investigating
    • Cash and cash-equivalents most anticipated cost of living support measures for Budget 2025: AsiaOne survey
    • Increased demerit points, fines for speeding offences from 2026: Shanmugam
    • Daily roundup: Cat A COE premiums rise sharply in second bidding exercise for February 2025 — and other top stories today
    • LTA: Companies must keep private-hire cars for 3 years before selling to individuals
    • SCDF to hire foreigners to meet rising demand for emergency medical services
    • Scoot reintroduces card processing fees for flights from Singapore
    • Budget 2025: Eligible Singaporeans to receive up to $800 in vouchers for SG60
    • More CDC vouchers, $500 Edusave top-up: What you should know about Budget 2025

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Darren Wang under investigation by Taiwan authorities for dodging military service
    • 'My 20s were like an incomplete flower': Apink share hopes for their 30s ahead of Singapore concert
    • 'You can't rely on anyone for your happiness': Michelle Chia and Phyllis Quek chat candidly about self-love
    • Moses Lim bids fans and friends a 'special farewell' in AI-generated video
    • 'You call that a performance?' Zhang Ziyi and Francis Ng left exasperated by acting reality show participants
    • Jay-Z and Beyonce were sent death threats after he was accused of raping 13-year-old girl
    • Mike Tyson denies having Parkinson's disease
    • Julianne Moore in 'great shock' after her book was banned by Trump administration
    • Actress Kim Sae-ron dies aged 24, had planned to open own cafe
    • Conclave and The Brutalist the big winners at Bafta Film Awards

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Updated BYD e6 now available for private hire drivers in Singapore
    • Cocktail bar Smoke & Mirrors at National Gallery Singapore to close after 9 years, but 'this isn't goodbye'
    • Rolling with the times: 74-year-old bus captain reflects on career and industry since the 1980s
    • Jetting off to Japan: Dalmatian flies business class on Singapore Airlines
    • Final curtain call: Cathay Cineplexes to close West Mall outlet on Feb 20
    • 'So upset by this': Customers, book lovers lament Kinokuniya's downsizing of Takashimaya outlet
    • Huge discounts at Four Star Moving Out sale - up to 90% off premium mattresses and furniture
    • Where to find freehold landed homes for $3m+ in Singapore: Touring Jalan Soo Bee
    • Your ultimate guide to solo travel in the Philippines: Tips, destinations and itinerary
    • Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance review: An iconic legend loses its voice

Digicult

Digicult
    • A $500 wake-up call: How the Samsung Galaxy Ring made me realise my stress
    • Monster Hunter Wilds producer explains how game has remained unique and fresh over 20 years
    • South Korea spy agency says DeepSeek 'excessively' collects personal data
    • Paris AI summit draws world leaders and CEOs eager for technology wave
    • Prism+ Sentinel Door Lock and Sentry Pro Gate Lock review: Say hello to hands-free convenience
    • Russian TV falls for fake report on DeepSeek's 'Soviet code'
    • Italy says 7 people targeted by spyware on WhatsApp
    • Australia bans DeepSeek on government devices citing security concerns
    • Games in February: RPGs, pirates, and dating household appliances?
    • Great snakes! Slither through gaming hiss-tory with these iconic serpents

Money

Money
    • Singapore's economy grew 4.4% in 2024, beating forecasts
    • DBS to give staff $1,000 special bonus, introduce capital return dividend
    • Budget 2025: Additional $100 worth of Climate Vouchers, programme to be extended to Singaporeans living in private properties
    • PropertyGuru lays off 174 employees, shuts 3 units to trim operations
    • Beginner's guide to understanding your credit score in Singapore (2025): What is a credit score and is it important?
    • Upgrading to a condo by 35: Is that still possible for the average Singaporean in 2025?
    • Best fixed deposit rates in Singapore (February 2025): Minimum deposits from $500, rates up to 2.90%
    • Could a toy car triple your cash? 8 tips for investing in diecast cars
    • India and US agree to resolve trade and tariff rows after Trump-Modi talks
    • Trump outlines reciprocal tariff plan in latest bid to reshape trade on his terms

Latest

Latest
  • South Korea court finds former officials guilty of forcible return of North Koreans
  • Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court
  • Australian billionaire Palmer launches Trump-inspired political party
  • US condemns 'dangerous' manoeuvres by Chinese navy in South China Sea
  • Dozens of false killer whales stranded on remote Australian beach
  • Major risks loom as Trump upends US Russia policy
  • China supports all Ukraine peace efforts, Gaza is not a 'bargaining chip', says Wang
  • Pope accepts resignation of Canadian bishop accused of sexual abuse
  • US, Russia forge ahead on peace talks, without Ukraine

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Malaysia to build $786 million integrated property comprising mall, apartments and hotel next to JB-Singapore RTS Link station
  • Man slashed by cleaver in drunken fight near JB checkpoint
  • Third train disruption in less than a week: Circle Line resumes service after signalling fault
  • Car plunges from 3rd floor of Malaysian building after driver accidentally floors accelerator
  • New ICA services centre to open in April, public can self-collect identity cards and passports there from July
  • Selangor mall shooting: Manhunt underway for suspect who fired at janitor, hijacked car
  • WP new faces hit the ground in areas like Tampines and Punggol; party may contest over 30 seats in GE2025: Observers
  • 14-year-old girl, previously missing in JB, found in Penang with 2 'online friends'
  • Sushiro Hong Kong to take legal action after viral video shows boy licking and dropping tongs onto floor at outlet
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.