Special Poll
As Nikki Haley grapples with a challenging delegate count ahead of Super Tuesday, speculation about her potentially initiating a third-party campaign is increasing.
No Labels, a centrist political organization, has indicated openness to having Haley lead its ticket amidst their search for a suitable candidate.
Haley, however, has dismissed such speculation, reaffirming her commitment to the Republican Party. Despite this, her lack of primary victories and the growing speculation about her strategy in the presidential race have led to discussions about a potential insurgent third-party campaign.
Tucker Martin, an experienced Republican strategist, expressed mixed feelings about the viability of such a campaign. “My heart wishes it was possible but my brain doesn’t think it can be done,” he commented. He sees Haley as representative of the Republican Party’s current dilemma, describing her as an ideal candidate for the party to rally behind.
Despite polling that suggests Haley could outperform President Biden in a theoretical matchup, there is widespread discontent with the prospect of another election battle between Trump and Biden, with voters citing concerns about their age. This discontent is driving the search for an alternative, especially among Republicans.
On Friday, Haley categorically denied any intentions of a No Labels candidacy, emphasizing her Republican identity and dismissing the idea of running on a unity ticket with a Democrat.
“If I were to pursue No Labels, that would imply partnering with a Democrat, which is not conducive to my objectives,” Haley stated to the press. She believes in acting with full conviction, suggesting that a No Labels candidacy would be self-centered and not in line with the national direction she envisions.
Last month, No Labels’ Joe Cunningham mentioned Haley as a potential candidate of interest, causing a stir. However, some within the Republican Party accuse No Labels of intentionally fueling these rumors. No Labels strategist Ryan Clancy clarified that there has been no communication with Haley or her campaign, and that their delegates will convene after Super Tuesday to discuss their next steps.
Haley, having just recently refuted the idea of an independent run on Fox News, remains firm in her Republican stance, despite lingering questions about her decision to stay in the presidential race given her performance against Trump in the primaries.
Haley believes in providing Republican primary voters with a choice, rejecting the notion of a one-candidate “Soviet-style” election and seeing it as her duty to offer an alternative.
Despite losing financial backing from Americans for Prosperity, supported by GOP mega-donor Charles Koch, Haley’s campaign announced a respectable fundraising haul in February, signifying continued financial support.
Haley’s campaign received a boost with Senator Lisa Murkowski’s endorsement, marking her as the first senator to publicly support Haley.
Republican insiders often refer to Haley’s commitment to backing the party’s eventual nominee, as she signed the RNC’s unity pledge last August, a prerequisite for participating in the GOP debates.
Political strategist Wilson contends that breaking this pledge could have lasting negative implications for Haley’s political future. He draws historical parallels, noting the potential benefits of endorsing the eventual nominee, as Ronald Reagan did in 1976, positioning himself as a future leader post-Jimmy Carter’s presidency.
Wilson adds that if Haley is thinking long-term, she must strategize accordingly.
Furthermore, there are logistical hurdles to mounting a successful third-party campaign so late in the election cycle, given the complexity of differing state laws and regulations. The last significant third-party campaign in U.S. presidential politics was Ross Perot’s.
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made recent headlines with his inclusion on Hawaii’s November ballot, with support from a super PAC that claims to have gathered enough signatures for him in Georgia and Arizona, although these claims haven’t been independently confirmed by Kennedy’s campaign.
Wilson poses a rhetorical question about the public’s desire for a third-party option, wondering if someone will step up to meet that demand.