Internet baffled as Koch group spends $70M on Nikki Haley in the hope she comes 'second or third' in Iowa

WASHINGTON, DC: A super PAC backed by the Koch network has reportedly pledged to invest $70 million in support of presidential candidate Nikki Haley's campaign.

The investment aims to secure a strong position for the former South Carolina Governor in Iowa, in competition with the Republican front-runner Donald Trump.

Moreover, the sizeable investment by 'Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Action', funded by Charles Koch, signals the organization's confidence in Haley's ability to surpass her 2024 rival, Ron DeSantis.

A report by Bloomberg suggests that the organization is not targeting Trump supporters as part of its recruitment strategy.

What did the super PAC 'Americans for Prosperity Action' say about Nikki Haley’s chances in Iowa?

Bill Riggs, a spokesperson for 'AFP Action', revealed to the New York Post that Haley could come in "second or third" in Iowa. 

In a statement, he said, "'AFP Action' is working to help Haley finish as strong as possible in Iowa and continue her momentum into New Hampshire. This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint." 

He added, "The DeSantis team has poured everything they can into Iowa. Whether Haley comes in second or third, she’ll be well positioned going into New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Super Tuesday."

The prediction of a second or third-place finish by Haley's campaign is not a recent development.

The former Governor of South Carolina has recently revised her public expectations in Iowa, stating that she hopes for a "good showing" at the January 15 caucuses as opposed to an outright win.

Her campaign has reiterated its focus on several early states, including Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

In contrast, DeSantis has expressed his desire to win the all-important state of Iowa and has devoted significant resources to traveling to all 99 counties.

Trump's campaign has likewise announced its intentions to win Iowa and has developed a "10 for Trump" plan aimed at mobilizing a large number of new voters to deliver a decisive victory.

In late November, 'AFP Action', a prominent conservative grassroots coalition, endorsed the former United Nations ambassador, Haley, promising to deploy "thousands" of activists and grassroots leaders to mobilize voters.

Her campaign received a significant funding boost of $70 million, which is nearly equivalent to the amount raised by President Joe Biden's campaign last quarter.

Despite her recent rise in the polls, Haley has yet to overtake Florida Governor DeSantis, who has been maintaining a significant lead with an average of 52% in Iowa.

RealClearPolitics data shows that Haley garners 15.8% support and DeSantis 20%.

Per Bloomberg, 'AFP Action' has encountered difficulties in gaining mass support for Haley due to DeSantis' presence on the ground, as the conservative coalition has already sent out its army of door knockers to woo voters before the caucuses.

DeSantis' super PAC, ‘Never Back Down’, has experienced repeated shakeups, but his campaign remains unperturbed by Trump's polling lead.

The Florida Governor's campaign spokesperson, Andrew Romeo, spoke to the New York Post after the fourth Republican primary debate in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

He noted, "I think what you’re going to see in Iowa is the hard work that we’ve already put in come to fruition. The reality is, we have endorsements from 42 state legislators, we have now visited all 99 counties. That stuff is the stuff that’s going to pay off, it’s going to yield the votes."

Internet stunned the Koch network commits $70 million to Nikki Haley’s campaign

Netizens were dumbfounded by the Koch network-backed super PAC 'Americans for Prosperity Action' spending $70 million in hopes that GOP presidential candidate Haley would come in "second or third" in the January 15 Iowa caucus.

One wrote, "Talk about burning money," while another stated, "And you wonder why politicians suck at administering the finances of the nation."

A person remarked, "We don't want her! She's not a real Conservative!"

"Don’t these people get their money back if their candidate doesn’t win? They can’t possibly throw $70 million into a no win situation," expressed someone else. 

An individual noted, "The worst candidate of all time. Might as well just have Joe Biden," with one more adding, "What a waste of money."

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.