Nikki Haley targets Trump in first ad of her campaign

Ahead of a fourth debate appearance and with her numbers climbing in early primary states, former U.N Ambassador Nikki Haley is launching her first advertising campaign of the primary and it seems to be aimed directly at her former boss.

Titled Moral Clarity, the 30 second video will be broadcast on cable and across digital services in Iowa and New Hampshire, where the first caucus and first primary will occur, and where Haley has been making ground against former President Donald Trump.

“A president must have moral clarity and know the difference between good and evil. Today, China, Russia, and Iran are advancing. There’s chaos in our streets and college campuses. Our security is threatened at home and abroad. It’s time for a new generation of conservative leadership. We have to leave behind the chaos and drama of the past and strengthen our country, our pride, and our purpose,” Haley says in the ad.

If that’s not a shot at Trump, who no longer causes as much turmoil with his tweets but still makes headlines with each additional indictment or civil court case and who leads Haley in the polls by as much as 61 points, it’s hard to imagine who else she might be referencing.

At 77, Trump certainly isn’t any part of the “new generation” of Republicans running this cycle, and he’s also facing 91 felony charges in four separate jurisdictions. More than a dozen of those charges are directly related to his alleged efforts to remain in office despite losing the election in 2020, which the former President still refers to as “rigged” and “stolen” despite all evidence to the contrary.

With all the country faces, according to Haley’s campaign, the advertisement is designed to offer “a persuasive argument for turning the page” on the past and draw a line between the former South Carolina governor and the twice-impeached, several times arrested 45th president.

“The world is on fire, and Americans are desperate for a leader with moral clarity who will make America strong and proud,” Haley spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas said. “Americans are tired of the chaos and drama of the past.”

According to polling Haley is doing fairly well against fellow candidates who aren’t former presidents, but isn’t anywhere close to unseating Trump from the top of the Republican ticket.

Despite any ongoing allegation against him or the resulting media attention drawn to his many court appearances, the former reality TV star has remained a majority favorite among polled Republicans since he announced his third run at the White House, only seeing his numbers improve with each indictment or contempt fine.

A Messenger/Harris poll released on Thursday showed Trump pulling 68% of the vote, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in second at 9% and Haley in third at 7%. When compared to Trump, however, Haley polls slightly better against President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, both nationally and in several key swing states.

“Nikki Haley is the one candidate who offers both a new conservative direction for the country and is a hands-down winner against Joe Biden,” Perez-Cubas said.

Haley will be on the stage next Wednesday alongside DeSantis for the fourth Republican debate at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. It is unclear if former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie or businessman Vivek Ramaswamy will meet the debate qualifications. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who qualified for the third debate, has dropped out.

Trump, who would qualify if he agreed to abide by the Republican National Committee’s debate terms, which he’s refused, is not expected to appear.

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