In the first 2024 Republican debate, the stage presented a visually striking sight. It featured seven men in dark suits and red ties, alongside one woman, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who stood out wearing a white and blue boucle dress. Haley cleverly used her gender as an asset during the debate, quoting Margaret Thatcher’s famous remark that “if you want something done, ask a woman.” This tactic was notable considering the Republican party’s historical aversion to what they perceive as identity politics.
Haley embraced her gender as a unique selling point for her leadership style and the way she discusses policies like abortion. This strategy could potentially appeal to moderate women voters who turned away from both Trump and the GOP in 2020. Haley emphasized that she believes she can win back these voters by distancing herself from Trump, who she claims is the most disliked politician in America.
A post-debate focus group conducted by Navigator Research found that 45 percent of independent Wisconsin voters believed Haley had won the debate, the highest proportion for any candidate. However, despite this potential gain, Haley will face a challenge in the Republican primary, where Trump’s popularity in the polls makes it difficult to envision any other candidate securing the opportunity to campaign in the general election.
Throughout the debate, Haley referenced her gender in various ways. For example, she shared her personal experience with childbirth when discussing abortion, emphasizing the need for a consensus that considers the personal nature of the issue for every woman and man. In another exchange, she perpetuated anti-trans sentiment by falsely suggesting that trans women on girls’ sports teams pose a significant problem.
The Republican Party has struggled to attract women voters and increase female representation in Congress. In the 2020 election, Trump garnered only 42 percent of women voters compared to Biden’s 57 percent. Additionally, just 16 percent of House Republicans are women, while 43 percent of House Democrats are.
Haley’s focus on her identity and slightly more moderate stance on certain policies could be a way for Republicans to connect with voters who feel the party has gone too far on abortion. However, it remains unlikely that these efforts will significantly impact her chances in the Republican primary, where Trump maintains a strong lead.
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