Nikki Haley’s unwillingness, at first, to say that slavery was the cause of the Civil War during an event in New Hampshire town hall this week is proving to be the gaffe she can’t escape in the state where she can’t underperform.
Haley’s comments came during an event in Berlin after a voter asked what she thought the “cause” of the Civil War was. Haley responded that it was over “how government was going to run — the freedoms and what people could and couldn’t do.” Her answer notably did not mention the “freedom” that was at the heart of the matter: the ability to own slaves.
In the more than 48 hours since, Haley has tried to walk back the comment, saying the following day on “Good Morning New Hampshire” that “of course the Civil War was about slavery,” but she has also continued to center her responses to the question on things like “individual freedom” and “economic freedom” as underlying drivers that caused the Civil War. In addition, she has said that the person who asked the question was a “plant” sent by Democrats, an assertion made without evidence.
“We are on day three and she is still trying to get past it,” said Matthew Bartlett, a New Hampshire-based Republican operative. “I’m not sure litigating the Civil War is a top issue for New Hampshire voters, but when you make a mistake you have to get past it.”
“She needed to make her answer short, simple and patriotic,” he added. “Instead she is trying to get philosophical and talk about the lessons of economics and capitalism. Just, like, stop.”
Compounding the problem is the state where this particular mistake was made. New Hampshire is a huge part of Haley’s early state strategy, and a place seen as uniquely well suited to give her a boost and formally transform the race into a two-person contest with former President Donald Trump, who is the overwhelming front-runner in the polls.
It is the state where Haley has spent much of her time and…
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