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Charleston, S.C. (CN) — Nikki Haley has no plans to drop out of the Republican presidential race, even as polls showed her trailing far behind Donald Trump in South Carolina’s primary.
Haley, the twice-elected former governor for the Palmetto State, pushed back against skeptics who have called for her to abandon her campaign, arguing in a speech Tuesday in Greenville that a competitive race was good for the Republican Party and the country.
“I’m fighting for what I think is right,” she said. “And I don’t care what the party leaders and political elites want. I’ll keep fighting until the American people close the door.”
Haley has campaigned aggressively in the deep-red state as she attempts to convince conservative voters to abandon Trump, who leads the former governor in polls by more than 30 points. At a rally last week, which drew throngs of supporters, including many of the state’s top elected officials, Trump accused Haley of hurting the party by continuing her campaign.
After Haley lost in New Hampshire, Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, told Fox News the party needed to “unite around our eventual nominee, which is going to be Donald Trump.”
Haley said Tuesday that a political “herd mentality” has made many Republican politicians embrace Trump, even as they secretly dread him.
“I’m not afraid to say the hard truths out loud,” Haley said. “I feel no need to kiss the ring.”
Trump and President Joe Biden were “two old men who were getting older,” Haley said. She said neither candidate was sharp enough to handle the threats presented by Russia or China.
“We’re talking about the most demanding job in human history,” she said. “You don’t give it to someone who is at risk for dementia.”
Haley portrayed herself as a leader who could unite a fractured country.
“Americans of every belief and background are tired of our national mess,” she said. “They don’t want more chaos and craziness.”
Trump is scheduled to appear at his own event Tuesday in Greenville.
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