Haley Campaign Press Release - Debate Verdict: Nikki Haley Is The Tough Leader America Needs

MILWAUKEE, WI — The first presidential debate of 2024 is in the books and the verdict is in: The world saw Nikki Haley's toughness tonight. She brought it to the South Carolina political establishment as governor. She brought it to the dictators and murderers at the UN. She brought it to tonight's debate. And that's exactly what America needs in our next president.

People across the political spectrum declared Haley the unambiguous winner tonight. On China, Israel, Ukraine, spending and inflation, and education, Haley showed she will take on the bullies at home and abroad. She will stand up for America and our allies and stand up to our enemies. She will never waver in defending America.

Here's what people are saying.

Overall performance

Chris Cillizza: After an hour: 1. Haley 2. Christie 3. Ramaswamy But here come the Trump questions...

Ben Howe: I think @NikkiHaley has been the most appealing to the widest band of voters so far.

Ian Bremmer: 90 minutes in haley with the best performance pence pretty strong desantis not having much impact vivek over his skis nobody else with much impact

Meghan McCain: .@NikkiHaley is the debate winner tonight. Well done.

S.E. Cupp, CNN: Overall takeaway? Amidst the outbursts of the overly angry DeSantis and the overly annoying Ramaswamy, @NikkiHaley stood out as a grown-up. IF there's such a thing as a "winner" of this circus, I say it was undoubtedly her. #GOPDebate

Foreign policy

Drew Cline, morning host WFEA Radio: Haley took Vivek to school, paddled him, and called his mom to pick him up.

Frank Lutz: Nikki Haley may have just won the #GOPDebate with that foreign policy exchange. She has destroyed Vivek.

National Review: Nikki Haley was much stronger in exposing how vacuous Vivek's foreign policy positions are than others he has clashed with. Her, "You have no foreign policy experience and it shows" comment was delivered with authority, and landed." - @philipaklein

Brian Kilmeade, Co-anchor, Fox & Friends: @VivekGRamaswamy gets schooled by @NikkiHaley - she crushes his ideas shows them to be paper thin

Dave Weigel, Semafor: Haley gets a reaction that drowns out Vivek for the first time all night: "You have no foreign policy experience and it shows." She's previewed this attack on Vivek's Israel position (make peace in the Middle East so they don't need more aid) for a week + landed it.

Chris Cillizza: This is a star turn for Haley. Period.

Alice Stewart: .@NikkiHaley knocks it out of the park on Ukraine and Russia. #DebateNight

S.E.Cupp, CNN: "You're choosing a murderer over a pro-American country." -- @NikkiHaley to Vivek. "You have no foreign policy experience and it shows!" #GOPDebate

Lisa Desjardins: HALEY MOMENT: Am told people in audience stood and clapped for Haley's slay of Ramaswamy ... "You have no foreign policy experience and it shows." That it was first time audience members erupted in ovation like that that during the debate.

Arsen Ostrovsky: @NikkiHaley schools @VivekGRamaswamy at #GOPDebate: "You have no foreign policy experience and it shows."

Steven Law: Haley can hit like a truck.

Megyn Kelly: Woah! Haley!

Spencer Brown, Townhall: Haley with a masterclass on U.S. foreign policy and the state of play around the globe that got so much applause for telling Ramaswamy "you have no foreign policy experience and it shows" that he couldn't even answer.

Kayleigh McEnany, Co-host Outnumbered: @NikkiHaley is a strong voice on foreign policy. Today, I told my 3-year-old daughter about the #GOPDebate, and she said "I want the only girl on the stage to win." Nikki is an inspiring woman & it's great to have her on this stage.

Jim Merill: The line of the night delivered by @NikkiHaley - she has helped herself as much as anyone tonight, looking big on the big stage. #GOPDebate

Josh Holmes, Ruthless Podcast: Nikki is not to be trifled with on foreign policy. Strong and confident stuff.

Rich Lowry, National Review: First time a hit on someone for not having foreign policy experience has ever played this big

On standing up for women

Stephanie Murray, The Messenger: Haley: "I'm gonna fight for girls all day long ... and biological boys don't belong in the locker rooms"

Bob Vander Plaats: "Strong girls become strong women, and strong women become strong leaders." @NikkiHaley continues to champion a culture that supports BIOLOGICAL women.