Republican Presidential Candidate Nikki Haley Faces Backlash for Failure to Mention Slavery as Cause of Civil War
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is facing significant backlash after neglecting to mention slavery as a driving force behind the Civil War during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. When asked about the cause of the United States Civil War, Haley emphasized the role of government and the rights of the people. However, she failed to acknowledge slavery as a central issue.
Haley’s Controversial Response
During the event, a voter expressed astonishment at Haley’s omission of the word “slavery” in her answer. President Biden responded to a video of the exchange, affirming that the Civil War was indeed about slavery.
Haley’s Explanation and History on Race
In a subsequent interview, Haley acknowledged that the Civil War was about slavery and clarified that she wanted to focus on the lessons to be learned from that period. As a woman of color, Haley’s campaign aimed to take a different stance on issues of race and identity compared to her primary opponent, former President Donald Trump.
During her tenure as South Carolina Governor, Haley ordered the removal of the Confederate flag from the state capitol grounds following the 2015 shooting of Black parishioners in Charleston. She also condemned Trump’s response to the Charlottesville gathering in 2017.
Republican Party’s Stance on Race
The Republican Party, including some of Haley’s primary rivals, has been adopting a different tone regarding issues of race and the country’s history with slavery and white supremacy. Efforts to eliminate diversity and inclusion initiatives in higher education and banning books on race have been observed among Republican governors.
Backlash Before Early Primary Voting
The criticism of Haley’s comments comes shortly before Republican voters begin casting their votes in early primary states. With the Iowa caucus being the first primary contest on January 15, Haley’s campaign has gained momentum in recent months, making her one of the few candidates challenging former President Trump.
Haley consistently ranks second or third in early state polling and performs well in head-to-head matchups against Biden.