Does Haley have a point?
In a recent interview on “Fox & Friends,” former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley addressed the need for former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, to revise their approach when discussing women. Haley’s comments come amid concerns about Vice President Kamala Harris holding a 14-point lead over Trump among female voters.
When questioned by Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade about the disparity in support, Haley suggested that Trump and Vance could improve their appeal by moderating their rhetoric. “Donald Trump and JD Vance need to reassess how they talk about women,” Haley stated. “For instance, calling Kamala Harris ‘dumb’ doesn’t help. She’s reached her position through significant effort and expertise as a prosecutor.”
Haley emphasized that derogatory comments about women, even if directed at political opponents, can alienate female voters across party lines. “When Republican leaders speak disparagingly about Democratic women, it affects Republican women as well,” she explained. “The key to winning is focusing on strong policies and avoiding personal attacks.”
During a prior interview on “Face the Nation,” Haley echoed these sentiments when asked about Vance’s controversial remarks. CBS’s Margaret Brennan had brought up Vance’s comments about the head of a powerful teacher’s union not having children, which some found offensive. Haley responded, “It’s not helpful” to make statements that could be perceived as disrespectful towards women.
Vance has faced criticism for his 2021 remarks about “childless cat ladies” running the country, which he later defended as “sarcastic.” Both Trump and Vance have faced backlash for their comments, which Haley suggests could be counterproductive if they wish to win broader support among female voters.
