On CBS News’ Face the Nation last Sunday, former South Carolina governor and Republican endorsement holder, Nikki Haley, addressed controversial comments made by Ohio Senator JD Vance, who is now Donald Trump’s running mate. Haley described Vance’s remarks about women as “not helpful,” noting that they lacked substance.
With Kamala Harris leading in polls among female voters, host Margaret Brennan questioned Haley about Vance’s recent comments regarding the head of a major teachers’ union, implying that her lack of children was a concern. Brennan probed whether these remarks might alienate female voters.
Haley responded firmly: “It’s not helpful. It’s not helpful at all.” When asked if Vance effectively communicated the Republican policies she endorsed, she emphasized the need to prioritize substance over style in political dialogue.
Haley explained, “The substance is about cutting taxes, making housing affordable, focusing on immigration and national security. Discussing whether women have children distracts from these important issues. Republicans need to focus on policy rather than personality-driven comments.” She urged her party to steer clear of unnecessary distractions that might confuse voters.
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Since joining the Trump ticket, Vance has been under fire for his past comments about women. His 2021 remarks, where he characterized some women as “miserable” and labeled them “childless cat ladies,” have resurfaced, leading to significant backlash. Vance later claimed these statements were sarcastic and regretted the misunderstanding they caused.
The gender divide in voting patterns shows Democrats generally attracting more women, especially amid growing concerns about abortion rights. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll highlighted a 21-point lead for Harris over Trump among women voters in key states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, while Trump led male voters by 14 points.
Haley also criticized the Republican Party’s approach, saying they should stop complaining about Harris’s media presence and focus on their campaign strategy instead. She expressed that it was clear Harris was the true challenger in the election, emphasizing the need for Republicans to adapt to this reality.
In Haley’s view, the party must make significant changes to effectively engage with voters and respond to the current political landscape.