Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, says she “can’t imagine” running for president someday and isn’t interested in eventually being secretary of state or a U.S. senator, either.
“Everyone thinks that I’m ambitious, and everybody thinks that I’m trying to run for something, and everybody thinks I want more, and the truth of it is, I’m just passionate,” Mrs. Haley said in an interview that aired Friday on CNN’s “New Day.”
Asked if she’s going to run for president, Mrs. Haley said no.
“I can’t imagine running for the White House,” said Mrs. Haley, a former governor of South Carolina. “I really can’t.”
She also said she doesn’t want to be secretary of state or a senator.
Mrs. Haley said she and Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson have different styles.
“I think it’s just the personalities. He’s very much an executive, he’s thoughtful in his approach and how he moves forward,” Mrs. Haley said. “I’m one that’s not afraid to say anything.”
“I’m not easily intimidated, and so I can go out and say things, so I think we actually complement each other very well,” she said.
Mrs. Haley also did say she would never “go rogue.”
“Because I’m very aware of who I work for,” she said.
Mrs. Haley said it’s not uncommon for President Trump to pick up the phone and tell her what he thinks on an issue.
“It’s not uncommon for him to say, ’Make sure you say this; don’t be afraid to say this,’ ” she said. “He has given me a lot of leeway to just say what I think and interpret what he thinks.”
“I’m a strong voice by nature, I’m [sometimes a] bull in a China shop, and he allows me to do that,” Mrs. Haley said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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