Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds interviews Republican Presidential Candidate at the Iowa State Fair, as part of her “Fair-Side Chats” series.
On Saturday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds sat down with former UN Ambassador and current Republican Presidential Candidate Nikki Haley, as part of her “Fair-Side Chats” series. Reynolds will be interviewing most of the current candidates, although Donald Trump and Chris Christie have both declined the invite.
Haley kicked off her time talking about growing up in a small town and then becoming the first female Governor of South Carolina, after running against an incumbent.
Haley blamed the deficit not just on Democrats but on Republicans as well. She slammed Republicans for asking for $7.4 billion in earmarks in the 2024 budget, while Democrats only asked for $2.8 billion. She promised to veto any bill that doesn’t take us back to pre-covid spending levels.
Haley promoted term limits and mental competency tests for anyone over the age of 75.
Haley warned about China targeting states like Iowa because of their agrilcuture and said that “food security is national security”. She said that many of our universities are taking both Chinese and American money. She warned that China was inplanting malwell in our technology and that our government can not detect it. She also said that China is responsibly for much of the fentanyl coming across the southern border.
Haley pledged that she would prevent China from buying land in the US, will tell the universities that they either take American or Chinese money but the days of them taking both are over, will threaten to end all trade relations until they stop the fentanyl coming across the border and blacklist Chinese requests for technology that builds up their military. She also said that we need to build up our military by cutting red tape.
Haley promised to put 20,000 border patrol and ICE agents on the border, change catch and release to catch and deport, and reimplement Trump’s remain in Mexico policy.
When asked about electability, Haley noted that Republicans have lost the last 7 out of 8 popular votes for President. In an apparent swipe at former President Trump, Haley said that it’s time for a new generation to lead. She said that we need to leave the negativity and drama behind and focus on serious issues.
The Iowa caucuses are scheduled for January 16th 2024.
