Nikki Haley Has Warning For Republicans After Trump-Biden Debate

Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign stop at the Portland Elks Club on March 3, 2024 in Portland, Maine. The former contender for the Republican nomination has claimed that President Joe Biden will not be the Democrat nominee.

Nikki Haley warned her political party to be prepared for President Joe Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee for president, following a shaky performance in a debate against former President Donald Trump.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the former rival to Trump for the Republican nomination said: "Mark my words....Biden will not be the Democrat nominee. Republicans, get your guard up!"

Newseekhas reached out to Haley for further comment about her X post.

The head-to-head between the 81-year-old Biden and 78-year-old Trump left Democrats rattled and renewed fears over the president's age. Biden stumbled verbally several times during the debate, including one confusing moment when he talked about beating Medicare. Concerns were also raised about the president's raspy voice. However, a Biden aide told Newsweekthat he was fighting a cold.

He was also defended by Vice President Kamala Harris in a CNN interview following Thursday's clash, although she admitted the president had a "slow start."

Newsweek has reached out to the Biden campaign for comment.

A New York Times/Sienna College poll published last October suggested that if Biden were not on the ballot, then a hypothetical alternative could enjoy a lead over Trump.

When asked if Joe Biden wasn't the nominee, would they vote for "the Democratic candidate," 48 percent of respondents said they definitely or probably would, versus 40 percent who would vote for Trump if Biden wasn't the nominee.

Research by Stack Data Strategy in November found that Trump would still beat other prominent potential candidates Kamala Harris and California governor Gavin Newsom, were Biden to be replaced.

"Despite recent calls for change, our polling also shows that neither party would benefit from a change in candidate, President Trump would beat both of Biden's possible replacements by an even greater margin," said Joe Bedell, Head of Stack Data Strategy in North America.

More recently, an Emerson poll from February showed Biden having the strongest chance against Trump when compared against Harris, Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Haley's post was met with mixed reaction online.

One user asked: "Why? Trump is solid. We aren't afraid of anyone. Americans know Biden isn't running things. This wasn't new what we saw today. It's the same people behind Biden that will be behind whoever they replace him with."

"Newsome vs Haley would be good," suggested another.

Another user quipped: "Mark my words... Nikki Haley will not be the Republican nominee."

Haley began her political journey in the South Carolina House of Representatives. In 2010, she ran for governor of South Carolina, winning the election and becoming the first female governor of the state.

She would later be appointed by then-President Donald Trump as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, where she served until 2018.

In February 2023, Haley announced her candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, making her the first prominent Republican to challenge former President Donald Trump.

Haley suspended her campaign in March 2024, however, after falling behind Trump in what became a bitter war of words between the two candidates. She later said she would vote for him.

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