OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) delivered some remarks to reporters on Tuesday after former South Carolina governor and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley formally announced her bid for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
Haley’s announcement makes her the second Republican vying for the party’s nomination. Former President Donald Trump formally jumped into the ring in mid-November, making his announcement from his Mar-a-Lago resort home in Florida.
McConnell, indicating he would support whomever the eventual nominee is, told reporters after being asked about Haley’s candidacy, “Well, what I think is we’re going to have is a vigorous campaign.”
Trump and McConnell have essentially feuded since the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol after the Kentucky Republican leader blamed the then-president for the incident.
WATCH:
In case you were wondering if Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will ever grow a pair with regard to Donald Trump, here he is telling reporters he'll support whomever the Republican nominee for president is in 2024. pic.twitter.com/2921XuNxgL
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) February 14, 2023
As for Haley, she initially pledged later that year she would not run for president if Trump declared, but she has obviously gone back on that vow.
“The Washington establishment has failed us over and over and over again. It’s time for a new generation of leadership to rediscover fiscal responsibility, secure our border, and strengthen our country, our pride, and our purpose,” said Haley in a campaign video.
“It’s time for a new generation of leadership – to rediscover fiscal responsibility, secure our border, and strengthen our country, our pride and our purpose,” Haley said in her campaign announcement. “Republicans have lost the popular vote in seven out of the last eight general elections. That has to change,” she added.
“Some people look at America and see vulnerability. The socialist left sees an opportunity to rewrite history. China and Russia are on the march. They all think we can be bullied. Kicked around. You should know this about me: I don’t put up with bullies. And when you kick back, it hurts them more if you’re wearing heels,” Haley went on to say.
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As for McConnell, he and other Republican leaders took a lot of heat following a less-than-expected showing during the November midterms. The party barely managed to retake the House and actually lost a seat in the Senate, handing full control to Democrats.
After Trump declared his candidacy, McConnell essentially pronounced his political career as being over. The Kentucky Republican said on Tuesday he believes it’s “highly unlikely” that the 45th president will become the 47th president.
The Daily Caller noted: “Trump has come under scrutiny after white nationalist Nick Fuentes and Kanye West, formally known as ‘Ye,’ joined the 45th president for a dinner at Mar-a-Lago. Trump has denied having prior knowledge that Fuentes would be joining and claimed he didn’t know who Fuentes was.”
“There is no room in the Republican Party for anti-Semitism or white supremacy. And anyone meeting with people advocating that point of view, in my judgment, are highly unlikely to ever be elected president of the United States,” McConnell said, the outlet reported.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie tweeted Saturday that “this is just awful, unacceptable conduct from anyone, but most particularly from a former President and current candidate.”
On Sunday, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said during an interview on CNN that he hopes “we won’t have to be responding to what former President Donald Trump has said or done.”
Trump has already picked up his first major endorsement, however: Veterans For America First has announced it is supporting Trump to become the 47th president.
“Veterans For America First (Veterans For Trump) is proud to announce our endorsement of the greatest President in history: Donald J. Trump for our 47th president,” the organization said in a statement. “President Trump has been most supportive of our Veterans, Military, and First Responder community.
The group continued to praise Trump on its website.
“Over the years, there’s been a bit of confusion over our names: Veterans For America First, Veterans For Trump. The history is significant. Veterans instinctively knew that Trump was their man,” the group noted.
“Many such groups formed back in 2016 and all supported the campaign with critical help. Often it was veterans who do not fear the sound of gunfire that provided campaign events with needed security. One of the things we accomplished in 2016 was coordinating the Veteran Outreach,” the group added.
“Funny thing is, here in 2022, it appears the names are important again. So, do let me assure you as one who was there, the following is completely true: Veterans For America First is 100% = to Veterans For Trump. As has always been the case, veterans have the view of America’s soul, it’s [sic] destiny and future, as no others,” it said.
