GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley faced criticism and backlash after her recent remarks regarding the cause of the Civil War. During a CNN town hall in Iowa, Haley admitted that she should have mentioned slavery when asked about the cause of the Civil War. She explained that in her mind, it was a given that everyone associates the Civil War with slavery. However, she acknowledged her mistake in not explicitly stating it. Haley's response came after opponent Chris Christie criticized her for not mentioning slavery, suggesting that her answer stemmed from an unwillingness to offend anyone.

Haley's initial response to the question in New Hampshire was that the cause of the Civil War was related to how the government was going to run and the freedoms of the people. This response was quickly seized upon by Democrats and Republicans, including Christie, who saw it as an attempt to avoid addressing the issue of slavery directly.

During the town hall in Iowa, Haley further explained her response, stating that growing up in the South, slavery was a heavily discussed topic. She admitted that she was thinking beyond slavery and focusing on the lessons learned from the Civil War. However, she acknowledged that she should have explicitly mentioned slavery as the cause.

In addition to the controversy surrounding her remarks on the Civil War, Haley also addressed the topic of pardoning former President Trump if he were to be convicted of federal crimes. When asked about her stance on pardoning Trump, Haley emphasized that he would have to be found guilty first. She argued that it would be better for the country not to have an 80-year-old president sitting in jail, as it would only further divide the nation. Haley's stance on pardoning Trump has drawn attention and criticism from those who associate him with chaos in the country.

Following a tragic school shooting in Perry, Iowa, where a sixth-grade student was killed and five others injured, Haley promised to address the nation's mental health crisis if elected. She stressed the need to deal with the “cancer” of mental health and blamed insufficient mental health care for gun violence. Haley expressed her support for more therapists and mental health centers nationwide, as well as increased protective measures for schools.

Haley's campaign stop in Milford, New Hampshire, also drew criticism when she made a joke about Iowa voters needing to “correct” the results of the caucuses. Her comment was seen as disrespectful and was immediately condemned by Republican opponent Ron DeSantis, who accused her of making excuses for her poor performance. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds also took to Twitter to express her trust in Iowans to make their own decisions, implying that no “corrections” were needed.

Despite the backlash, Haley defended her remarks, stating that she likes to have fun and that banter between the early nominating states is common. She emphasized her dedication to Iowa and her confidence in her campaign, promising to fight until the very end. Haley acknowledged that politics can be too serious and dramatic, and she believes that injecting humor into the process can help alleviate tension.

Currently, Haley is polling in second place in New Hampshire and third place in Iowa. She trails behind former President Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis in Iowa polling. The Iowa caucuses are scheduled to take place on January 15th.