Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley has seen her poll numbers jump after the GOP’s first debate on Aug. 23, and the trend continued across all four total debates.
Now, she’s making some unusual demands for the next debate.
On Thursday, the South Carolina Republican was invited to a one-on-one debate against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. She described the proposed debate as “welcome,” but she demanded something else, first.
She demanded a one-on-one debate with former President Donald Trump.
Haley made the remarks during a Thursday appearance on Hannity.
Fox News host Sean Hannity asked, “Governor DeSantis was on this program last night and he wants to debate you one-on-one right here on this program. What would your answer be?”
Haley replied–
Well, I’ve debated him four times. I love debates, I have no issue with that.
But quite honestly Sean, the person I want to debate is Donald Trump. If you can get him on your show, that’s who I want to debate. That’s who we’re looking at, that’s who’s–
You know, we’re second place in Iowa, second place in New Hampshire, second place in South Carolina. Donald Trump’s the one we’re looking in the windshield, and that’s the one that I think needs to get up on the debate stage.
I think you’d be great at it, I welcome you to try and get that together, but that’s our focus right now is getting Donald Trump on a debate stage.
Haley has reached second place in some polls, although not all.
Last month, DeSantis himself appeared at a one-on-one debate moderated by Hannity. DeSantis drew big ratings during his debate with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and on Wednesday, DeSantis thanked Hannity before demanding to debate Haley.
“Sean, I don’t think we’ve spoken since that debate, and the reaction that I’ve gotten has been incredible… Kudos to you for doing it,” DeSantis told Hannity on Wednesday. “And just know if you want to do other debates — Nikki Haley and me, I’m in.”
DeSantis agreed with Haley on one thing. Like Haley, he also wants a one-on-one debate with Trump.
“Donald Trump and me, I’m in — so just say the word,” DeSantis told Hannity on Wednesday.
Trump has declined to appear at any debates since announcing his campaign over a year ago. Citing his landslide lead in the polls, he considers the debates a waste of his time.
Hannity seemed open to these one-on-one debates with Trump.
“Any debate stage that does not have Chris Christie on it is one that I’ll approve of,” Hannity said Thursday. “I’ll put it that way.”
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