But even though the former
“She gets credit for getting out without being too stained by the Trump administration,” said
Haley has been navigating her way through that balancing act since the 2016 campaign cycle, when there was initially no love lost between then-
In her two years at the
That balancing act came into view, Haley writes in her memoir, in clashes with then-Secretary of State
Conversely, Haley wrote that she was “deeply disturbed” by the president’s comments that there were “very fine people on both sides” at the white nationalist rally and counterprotest in
At the end of 2018, she left on her own terms, a decision that spawned speculation — which Haley quickly squelched — that she might challenge her soon-to-be-former boss in 2020.
Since then, Haley has demurred when asked about politics, even in news cycles that floated the notion of Trump replacing Vice President
With Trump still the titular head of the
“She's made the base really happy, and that serves her well in a primary, but she's angered and dismayed some independents and disaffected
Others saw the situation differently, arguing that Haley’s loyalty to the administration when asked to serve will bode well for her as she seeks her own political successes.
“Nikki has remained her own person while serving the president,” said
Time could also prove a hindrance. With presidential cycles having stretched from months to several years ahead of the election itself, the competition for attention in what have recently been massive candidate fields makes it difficult to maintain visibility and favor during an extended campaign season, warned
“It's tough to stay the bright, new shiny object for an extended period of time, especially when the attention spans of voters are so short,” said Sullivan, who managed Marco Rubio’s 2016 Republican presidential bid. “She's working very hard to position herself as the Goldilocks candidate, where she's just pro-Trump enough and loyal enough to the president that the supporters are for it, but just independent enough so that all the Never Trumpers can hang their hopes and dreams on her nomination.”
Haley, who has launched a book tour and is making the media rounds to promote “With All Due Respect,” was not made available for an interview with The Associated Press.
For Felkel, only the end of the Trump era — whether in 2020 or 2024 — will reveal Haley’s political staying power.
“For Haley and for many others, when Trump is gone, whenever that is, we'll find out whether this thing has legs or whether it was a flash in the historical pan.” he said.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed., source