Nikki Haley Urges Trump To ‘Quit Whining’ About Harris

During a Fox News interview on Tuesday, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who challenged Donald Trump in the Republican primary, urged the Trump campaign and Republicans to rethink their strategy of attacking Vice President Kamala Harris if they hope to win in November.

Haley, who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump administration before becoming a vocal critic of Trump during her bid for the Republican presidential nomination, warned that Trump must “quit whining” about Harris succeeding President Joe Biden or risk defeat in November’s election.

“Republicans should not be surprised that we are now running against Kamala Harris. It was her all the time,” Haley told Fox News’ Bret Baier.

“And one thing Republicans have to stop doing: Quit whining about her. We knew it was going to be her,” added Haley.

Haley also urged Trump to stop fixating on the fact that Harris hasn’t done a major sit-down interview since winning the party’s nomination.

“She’s not going to give an interview. They’re going to hold out as long as they can…That doesn’t mean we can’t talk about what she believes in. And we should be getting out there and doing that,” said Haley.

Haley continued, “You don’t need an interview from Kamala Harris. I take her at her word that she wants to raise taxes for households over $100,000, and that she wants to add a pharmaceutical tax and a healthcare tax. I take her word that she thinks illegal immigrants should be able to vote and be given driver’s licenses. Take her at her word.”

The former South Carolina Governor argued that attacking Harris for her race, age or gender is “not helpful,” urging Trump to focus on substantive policy issues instead of resorting to crude identity politics.

“I want this campaign to win. But the campaign is not going to win talking about crowd sizes. It’s not going to win talking about what race Kamala Harris is. It’s not going to win talking about whether she is dumb. You can’t win on those things,” said Haley.

“The American people are smart. Treat them like they’re smart. It’s not about her. It’s about the American people. Talk to them and let them know you need their vote,” she added.

Haley concluded the interview, saying, “I think the campaign needs to focus. That’s the main thing. Look, this is a winnable election, but you need to focus. Who is your target market? Your target market is suburban women, college-educated, independents and conservative Democrats. That’s your target market.”

Other prominent Republicans have echoed Haley’s call, urging Trump to change his approach in attacking Harris.

On Monday, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy made a similar point on Fox News, urging Trump to stop focusing on crowd size.

“Stop questioning the size of her crowds and start questioning her position when it comes to…What did she do as [California] attorney general on crime? What did she do when she was supposed to take care of the border as a czar?” suggested McCarthy.