Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign has unveiled a new digital ad, taking a swipe at both President Biden and former President Trump.
The campaign’s “Grumpy Old Men” series has humorously launched its first video installment, “Grumpy Old Men Say What?”, which aims to highlight the age and perceived inefficiencies of the two-party front-runners.
The ad, which runs for over two minutes, features clips of Biden seemingly mumbling during speeches and Trump confusing Haley for former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and mixing up Sioux City, Iowa, for Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
These instances are used to question the mental acuity and effectiveness of both Biden and Trump, suggesting that their time in the political arena should come to an end.
This ad is the third part of Haley’s campaign, which was launched earlier in the week. The Hill was the first outlet to obtain the spot, indicating the campaign’s strategic media partnerships.
“Sixty percent of American families are living paycheck to paycheck, we’ve got an all-out crisis on the southern border, and wars blazing in Europe and the Middle East. We need to know that our leaders are at the top of their game and these grumpy old men are not passing muster,” said Haley’s national spokesperson, Olivia Perez-Cubas.
She emphasized the need for leaders who are at the top of their game, suggesting that Biden and Trump, referred to as “grumpy old men”, are not up to the task.
“Nikki Haley is a new generational conservative leader with the strength, focus, and stamina to save our country,” Perez-Cubas added, positioning Haley as a fresh and capable alternative to the current political leadership.
In the ad, Nikki Haley herself is quoted as saying: “A president must have moral clarity and know the difference between good and evil. Today, China, Russia, and Iran are advancing. There’s chaos in our streets and college campuses. Our security is threatened at home and abroad. It’s time for a new generation of conservative leadership.”
Haley has been working to distinguish herself from Trump in the Republican primary as a newer face for the GOP while using a similar strategy to contrast herself with Biden. This tactic appears to be gaining traction, with a Quinnipiac University poll released this week showing Haley leading Biden in a general election matchup, 47 percent to 42 percent. The Hill’s Decision Desk HQ polling average shows Haley beating Biden by just over one point.
However, Haley faces a tougher primary race against Trump. The Hill’s Decision Desk HQ average shows Trump leading Haley nationally by 57 points. The two will face off in less than a month in the South Carolina Republican primary, where Trump is currently leading Haley by an average of 31 points.
In another campaign ad, Haley says: “Every time I’ve run for office in South Carolina, I’ve beaten the political establishment. They’re lined up against me again. I don’t want the political elite, that’s not what I’m looking for. And they, honestly, aren’t ready for me. Why? Because I keep saying we need to have term limits in Washington.”
This latest ad from Haley’s campaign underscores the high stakes and intense competition of the upcoming election, as candidates vie for the support of a divided electorate. As the race heats up, all eyes will be on Haley to see if her strategy pays off.