'Forgot she existed': Internet mocks Haley's vow to stay in race 'as long as we're competitive'

WASHINGTON, DC: Republican White House hopeful Nikki Haley doubled down on her determination to stay in the presidential race through Super Tuesday primaries, stating she would continue as long as her campaign is 'competitive', reported ABC News.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, March 1, the former UN ambassador said her campaign raised $12 million in February alone to continue her race through Super Tuesday, on March 5, when more than a dozen states will head to polls to choose the presidential nominee. However, she did not disclose her exact move after Super Tuesday.

"My approach has always been, as long as we're competitive. Super Tuesday we're going to try to be competitive. I hope we go forward. But this is all about how competitive we can be," Haley told reporters.

"As long as you've got 70 percent of Americans saying they want something different [than President Joe Biden and Trump], we're going to give them something different," she added.

Haley's decision to continue in the race comes after her consecutive losses to former President Donald Trump in state primaries and caucuses, the recent being Nevada and her home state, South Carolina. In addition, she faced another setback when the Koch-aligned group Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Action halted funding her campaign following her defeat in the South Carolina primary.

Nikki Haley on possibility of running as independent

The former South Carolina Governor deflected from questions about whether she would be willing to run as an independent candidate on a No Labels ticket.

"I haven't talked to anybody about that. I know that they have sent smoke signals that they want me to talk about that. But I'm a Republican," she said, adding, "If I were to do No Labels, that would require a Democrat vice president. I can't do what I want to do as president with a Democrat vice president."

According to an Associated Press report, the third-party presidential movement No Labels will meet on March 8 to decide whether it should launch an independent candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. Decisions regarding candidates remain to be made as the movement looks forward to avoiding a Biden-Trump rematch in November.

Responding to questions about her attempt to compete in the Republican National Convention, Haley indicated her current focus is on Super Tuesday. "The focus now, again, I'm just going to keep saying, it's Super Tuesday… I know y'all love to think about that. That is not something I'm thinking about."

Nikki Haley is not leading an 'anti-Trump movement'

Speaking to reporters amid the uphill task of defeating Trump, Haley denied the notion that she was leading an 'anti-Trump movement'. 

"In all the narratives, everybody pretty much assumes that this is an anti-Trump movement. And it's actually not. This is a movement where people want to be heard," she asserted.

Emphasizing her supporters were not "anti-Trump crowds," she added, "These crowds are about people who want to see America and feel good about it again." The White House hopeful also claimed that the crowds supporting her desired something new and different to be hopeful about.

Haley also took a swipe at people leaving the Democratic and Republican parties. According to her, Democrats left the party due to "how far left they've gone," and she reasoned the GOP's adherence to "small government and freedom -- economic freedom and personal freedom" as the reason why members leave.

Internet reacts

Weighing in on Haley's pledge to continue the race despite narrow chances to defeat Trump, netizens heavily downplayed the former South Carolina governor's efforts.

One user said, "Already forgot she existed."

"She’s just another woman wasting a lot of money," remarked another uninterested user.

A third individual added, "She wants to use other people’s money to enjoy herself as much and as long as she can."

"Isn’t she ridiculous? “Competitive”? She has LOST every Republican primary!" a fourth response read.

Someone else opined, "She might as well stick it out until she runs out of campaign funds. She’s already on the outs with the Trump lovers so she should continue as a thorn in his side. Nothing to lose!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.