At this point, you’d think presidential candidates like Nikki Haley would be very careful about all they say and do – especially with first caucuses and primaries just weeks away. And yet, she was just caught mocking the first caucuses and an entire state.
It happened on Wednesday while speaking to voters in Milford, New Hampshire.
She began on the right note, saying, “We have the opportunity to get this right. And I know we’ll get it right, and I trust you.”
But then things get a little critical.
“You know how to do this. You know Iowa starts it. You know that you correct it. … And then my sweet state of South Carolina brings it home. That’s what we do.”
Now, I’m not exactly sure what Haley is trying to imply here. As someone from another midwestern state, I could assume she’s going with the incorrect stereotype that farming states like Iowa know little more than how to pick corn and beans.
Whatever she meant, it didn’t come across very well to voters.
And, of course, her competitors were quick to pounce on her mistake.
Florida’s Ron DeSantis posted on his X account, “Unreal. Nikki Haley belittles Iowa caucus goers – claiming their decisions will need to be corrected by New Hampshire voters.”
Unreal.
Nikki Haley belittles Iowa caucus goers — claiming their decisions will need to be corrected by New Hampshire voters.
"You know Iowa starts it. You know that you correct it…and then my sweet state of South Carolina brings it home." pic.twitter.com/CCRUOHt0Qp
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) January 4, 2024
Vivek Ramaswamy also took note of the former governor’s blunder.
Nikki Haley says that New Hampshire needs to “correct” the results of the Iowa caucus. 🤔 https://t.co/XU5HEoCd0e
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 4, 2024
Naturally, Iowan leaders like Governor Kim Reynolds weren’t pleased with the Haley comment.
I trust Iowans to make their own decisions. No “corrections” needed!
— Kim Reynolds (@KimReynoldsIA) January 4, 2024
Now, to be sure, the Iowa caucus isn’t always right about the eventual nominee. In fact, as Business Insider reports, they’ve only got one of the last four nominees right. New Hampshire, on the other hand, has gotten three out of four correct.
But it still wasn’t very wise for Haley to insinuate there is anything wrong with who Iowa chooses. And the vote in less than two weeks will likely prove it.