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AGAINST THE GRAIN: Nikki Haley’s policy propositions are strikingly different from Trumpian politics, though she still struggles to make headway in the polls.

Across the nation, Americans brace in anticipation of a 2024 rematch between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. For months, Trump has dominated in the national polls above his Republican opponents. While woke-foe Ron DeSantis and Trump-clone Vivek Ramaswamy made headway, they nonetheless trail far behind the four-time indicted front-runner. For Republicans tired of the Trumpian train, there is a different track.

On Feb. 14 of this year, Nikki Haley announced her run for president. South Asian, 51 years old and a mother of two, Haley deviates from the conventional pool of candidates. Breaking from party norms, Haley’s identity as an American Indian and Generation X woman stands out. Haley’s political history is notable as well. As governor of South Carolina, Haley removed the Confederate battle flag from the state Capitol in 2015, bringing the red state into the modern century, as reported by NBC News. As the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Haley proved to be the rational voice of an often erratic Trump foreign policy. Further, Haley criticized North Korea at a time when Trump preferred to exchange “love letters” with Kim Jung-un. With conservative ideals, gubernatorial experience and international credentials, Haley seems to be the perfect Republican candidate. So why is Haley polling at 6.5 percent, according to FiveThirtyEight?

During the first GOP debate, Haley conveyed a confident candor and delivered fiery statements. In a sparkling white dress, Haley stood out in a sea of male candidates, clad in dark suits, white spread-collar shirts and red power ties. Instead of feeling ostracized, Haley leaned into being the only woman on the debate stage. After an extended, finger-wagging quarrel between Chris Christie and Ramaswamy, in which The New York Post reported the former describing the latter as sounding “like ChatGPT,” Haley dueled out a pearl of wisdom. 

“If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman,” Haley quipped, quoting Margaret Thatcher. 

Not only armed with striking lines, Haley performed well on the spot. When Ramaswamy said he would cut off funding to Kyiv, Haley attacked his position. The disagreement spiraled into a heated debate, with both candidates talking over each other for 15 seconds. Haley prevailed with the last word.

“You have no foreign policy experience and it shows,” Haley declared, silencing Ramaswamy and sparking rowdy cheers from the crowd. 

Did Haley’s impressive performance raise her ranking in the polls? Nope. She is still in fourth.

During the second GOP debate, Haley rocked a patriotic red dress, and her statement outfit mirrored her strong stage presence. For Republicans who respect Trump’s fighting spirit, Haley also came to play. Haley leveled an attack on Tim Scott — a fellow South Carolinian — for failing to implement meaningful change during his decade-plus reign in Washington and on DeSantis for his fracking policy in Florida. And, once again, Haley denounced Ramaswamy, as reported by U.S. News. 

“Every time I hear you, I feel a little dumber for what you say,” Haley said, after Ramaswamy’s tangent on why he filmed a TikTok with social media personality Jake Paul.

Rejecting right-wing extremes, Haley should resonate with more moderate Republicans. During the second GOP debate, Haley highlighted her new economic plan, which provides tax cuts for workers in the South. Haley addressed her position on the fentanyl crisis, stating that the U.S. should end trade relations with China until China stops sending fentanyl to America. Haley covered the “woke-war” on education, emphasizing the need for transparency in the classroom, state control over subject matter in schools and financial literacy over lessons on diversity. Haley embodies a non-Trumpian nominee, with even mainstream columnists calling her “an agent of change” and “Reagan-esque,” according to The New York Times.

With fixed conservative principles and more qualifications than Trump, Haley should be seen as a frontrunner, and yet she is 49 points below Trump. At the end of the day, it appears Republicans prefer entertainment over substance and extremes over rational compromises. If Republicans wanted to get off the Trumpian train, they would. There are many other tracks available.