September 25
Nikki Haley did a speech in Oklahoma City at an event hosted by the Hamm Institute of American Energy. You can read the full speech here.
Haley wrote an op-ed in the New York Post regarding economic freedom.
September 26
Haley wrote another op-ed in the Des Moines Register, this time about farming. In the key state of Iowa, the first place that will vote for the future Republican candidate, farming is a huge industry. Any candidate who wishes to win Iowa will surely need to talk about agriculture. With competition from abroad, American farmers will need to know what they will get.
September 27
Nikki Haley was part of the second Republican debate, this time held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. You can read my full report here.
September 28
A poll from 538 asked respondents who they thought did best in the debate. Haley came second at 18%, against Ron DeSantis who placed first at 33%. Various other commentators and reporters also said that Haley won, though others were less impressed.
September 29
Haley criticised “Bidenomics”:
“Bidenomics is crushing America’s middle class. Biden’s massive spending fueled inflation to record-breaking levels. Today, the cost of groceries, gas, cars, and homes are making everyday life unaffordable. My Freedom Plan will cut taxes for the middle class and tackle Washington’s spending and debt crisis. Bidenomics is socialism. We need freedom.”
September 30
Haley attended a town hall in Clive, Iowa.
October 1
Haley reported that she received a birdcage with feed outside her hotel room, allegedly from the Trump campaign. This is surely a nod to President Trump’s comment on Truth Social calling Haley a “birdbrain.” A sign of fear, a silly prank or something else?
On Fox News Sunday, Haley listed how she would reverse Bidenomics:
- Cut the federal gas & diesel tax
- Cut taxes on middle class
- Make the small biz tax cuts permanent
- Zero-based budgeting
- If Congress can’t produce a budget—don’t pay them
- Cut earmarks
- Veto budgets that don’t take us back to pre-COVID levels
Polls have Haley at 6.9%.
Haley seemed to do well out of the debate, though she did perhaps not match her performance from last time. Polls have been generous to her, but Donald Trump is still way ahead. Even if he drops out of the race, can Haley beat DeSantis to the top?
Economics seemed to be her main interest this week. In a time when many are in a pinch, can Haley prove that her policies will make things better?