Nikki Haley Doesn’t Mention Slavery as Cause of Civil War; Later Clarifies Statement
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley faced criticism after she failed to mention slavery when asked about the cause of the Civil War during a New Hampshire town hall. However, she later walked back her comments and acknowledged that the Civil War was indeed about slavery.
During the town hall event in Berlin, Haley was asked about the cause of the war, which began in her home state of South Carolina. Instead of mentioning slavery, she discussed the role of government and individual freedoms. When pressed by the questioner for not mentioning slavery, Haley retorted, What do you want me to say about slavery? before quickly moving on.
Haley, the former United Nations ambassador and South Carolina governor, has been positioning herself as a leading alternative to Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Her remarks on the Civil War may have implications for her campaign, particularly among independent voters.
However, Haley backtracked on her initial comments within 12 hours. Her campaign released a radio interview in which she stated, Of course the Civil War was about slavery, acknowledging it as a stain on America. She emphasized the importance of freedom, individual rights, and liberties for all people.
Haley’s Republican rivals, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, seized the opportunity to criticize her original remarks. DeSantis’s campaign circulated a video of the exchange on social media, emphasizing the significance of slavery in the Civil War. DeSantis faced his own criticism earlier in the year for downplaying slavery in Florida’s education standards.
The Trump campaign’s super PAC, Make America Great Again Inc., also weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that Haley is not ready for the presidential stage. Meanwhile, Trump himself did not mention slavery during a 2020 event commemorating the signing of the Constitution.
The issue of the Civil War’s origins and its heritage remains contentious in Haley’s home state of South Carolina. As governor in 2015, she removed the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds after the Charleston church shooting, but prior to that, she had defended the flag as a symbol of tradition.
Critics, including Christale Spain, the first Black woman to chair South Carolina’s Democratic Party, and Jaime Harrison, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, accused Haley of ignoring the role of slavery in the war. They highlighted her previous defense of the Confederate flag and characterized her response as consistent with Trump’s Make America Great Again agenda.
The controversy over Haley’s comments underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the causes and legacy of the Civil War. While Haley ultimately clarified her position on slavery, the incident may influence voters’ perception of her and her campaign.
Source: WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale
