CNN Newsroom: Interview With Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC)

Interview

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Thanks for having me, Dana. Well, first of all, Nikki Haley is a longtime friend. She was a very successful governor, very successful ambassador to the United Nations appointed by President Trump.

She is tough. She is just what this country needs. She will be able to serve eight years with this disastrous administration and what the Biden administration has done to this country. It's going to take eight years.

It's going to take somebody with energy, and I will tell you what you will see tonight, Nikki Haley is definitely not past her prime. She will answer questions and any question that's asked of her, you will see the real Nikki Haley, and I'm excited about her candidacy.

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Absolutely not. Nikki Haley will be Nikki Haley. She'll be real. She will be authentic.

Look, the policies of President Trump were phenomenal. Look at what we're facing now. And Haley and all the others would will put into effect the sound policies that Donald Trump did, and so no, I don't think she'll differentiate herself. I think she will lay out a vision of priorities that the country will like, and it'll be just what America needs now.

It is going to take a lot to turn this ship around, and I think she's the person to do it. I saw her do it in South Carolina and I think she will do it for America.

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Well, I mean, I served with Tim Scott a short time when he came in the House and Tim is a great friend of mine, great guy. I just think Nikki Haley has what it takes. Her personal skills, her retail politics, but I think what she's underestimated on is her strength.

She will be an iron fist with a velvet glove, like Margaret Thatcher will be. I would send her out negotiating with any country anywhere, at any time and I think that's what's needed and her judgment is second to none.

And having these other candidates, that's a plus for Nikki, because you will see her on stage, you'll see her perform, and she'll perform very well.

And it is real early, people complain about the poll numbers. I don't care about the poll numbers. I think back in '15, Donald Trump had three percent, but you know, watch her perform, watch her show the American people what she can do for them and I think it'll be -- they will like what they see.

I know it because I've worked with her. She and I came in in the legislature in South Carolina the same year, and I just saw what she did.

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My pleasure.

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