“The View” co-hosts heatedly talked over one another Thursday as they debated why Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has gained popularity.
Co-host Sunny Hostin claimed women voters are only backing Haley because she “has a vagina,” and argued she is anti-woman since she is pro-life. Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said Republican voters have not said they are supporting Haley because she is a woman and the party does not follow identity politics.
“I don’t understand why everyone is backing Nikki Haley, especially women. I remember when Hillary Clinton was running, there was a lot of talk about ‘I don’t vote for someone just because she has a vagina.’ Last I checked, Nikki Haley has one too and —”
“What do you mean last you checked?” co-host Joy Behar joked.
“And, let me just finish, and the thing is, Nikki Haley has said that she will sign a national, a federal ban against abortion,” Hostin continued. “Even though, and I think she’s saying to sort of talk to the MAGA base and the bottom line is she knows that legislation won’t pass —
“I haven’t heard a single person — just real quick — saying they only support her because she’s a woman,” Griffin, a Haley supporter, said. “We don’t really do identity politics as much and I don’t —” (RELATED: ‘What Is Her Real Name?’: Sunny Hostin Accuses Nikki Haley Of Hiding Real Name For Political Purposes)
“Oh, yes you do,” Hostin said. “But —”
“I don’t, I literally never said it’s because she’s a woman, I think she’s the most qualified,” Griffin interrupted.
“Well, your party does,” Hostin said, before being interrupted by Griffin again. “But I’m being interrupted constantly.”
Hostin lamented Haley’s vow to pardon former President Donald Trump if he is convicted of the 91 charges brought against him, and will vote for Trump if he is the nominee.
“So now that my point is done, please continue to interrupt me,” Hostin said.
Co-host Sara Haines added that Haley is a better candidate than Trump, but needs to “denounce” him. As she attempted to make this argument, Hostin and Griffin continued to interrupt her.
“I’m sorry, I’m not following some of the back and forth,” Haines pushed back.
She then argued voters cannot address any sort of identity politics, including slavery and race. Griffin said it is a “disadvantage” in her party.
“It is a disadvantage,” Hostin said while interrupting Haines.
“Let me just continue my point, too,” Haines interjected. “I think that right now is the time for Nikki Haley, the reason I don’t vote in Republican primaries, I like Nikki Haley, I am on the anyone but Trump train, so if there’s anyone that can beat him, I’m still of the belief that if Trump were to win the nomination that Biden would beat him again. So in some way, I’m okay with Trump getting the nomination, but I don’t want to wait that long. So I’d rather have him beat now.”
Haley is holding third place in the national Republican primary polls with 11.7% favorability, according to FiveThirtyEight. She trails Trump, who leads the race with 60%.