In a video announcement as distinctive because the libertarian-minded legislator making it, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Friday delivered his anti-endorsement of Nikki Haley for president.
Paul declined to endorse a particular various to the previous South Carolina governor, saying that he appreciates qualities in former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and even Democrat-turned-independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“I’m not yet ready to make a decision, but I am ready to make a decision on someone who I cannot support,” he mentioned within the video, which was posted to social media. “So I’m announcing this morning that I’m never Nikki.”
He has created an internet site, NeverNikki.internet, the place conservatives and libertarians can be taught extra about what he dislikes in Haley’s document.
Paul mentioned he objects to her hawkish international coverage views, her profitable post-government work for Boeing and different entities, and her suggestion that she would assist banning anonymity on social media to crack down on international meddling in U.S. tradition and politics.
“I don’t think any informed or knowledgeable libertarian or conservative should support Nikki Haley,” he mentioned. “I’ve seen her attitude towards our interventions overseas. I’ve seen her involvement in the military-industrial complex, $8 million being paid to become part of the team. But I’ve also seen her indicate that she thinks you should be registered to use the internet.”
He added: “I think she fails to understand that our republic was founded upon people like Ben Franklin, Sam Adams, [James] Madison, John Jay and others who posted routinely — for fear of the government — they posted routinely anonymously.”
Paul ran for president within the 2016 cycle, dropping out after a poor displaying within the Iowa caucuses.
Long a hero to small-government ideologues, it’s unclear what sort of sway Paul’s phrases could have amongst Republican voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, and different early caucus and first states.
But Paul’s skepticism of U.S. involvement in international conflicts has buy past the GOP’s smaller libertarian contingent. Trump’s base of “MAGA” supporters are additionally cautious of dedicating sources abroad that could possibly be higher spent shoring up U.S. border safety. That’s a part of why a large variety of House Republicans have tried to carry up U.S. army help to Ukraine because it seeks to repel a Russian invasion.
In Iowa, the place caucusgoers will choose their selection for the GOP nomination Monday, Trump is the runaway polling chief, however Haley and DeSantis are in an in depth race for second place. In New Hampshire, Haley has been ascendant, narrowing the hole with Trump, who stays the chief.
