Well- here's his big damn statement
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky says he likes a few of the GOP candidates for president but he is sure of one thing: He is “Never Nikki.”
Mr. Paul, a Republican and leading libertarian in Congress, accused former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley of promoting “endless wars,” unlimited funding for Ukraine and other countries and faulted her praise of the U.N. during her time as U.S. ambassador to the international body.
“I am #NeverNikki and I hope you will be too,” Mr. Paul wrote on X.
Mr. Paul announced his stance one day after teasing a major announcement, leading some to believe he would endorse former President Donald Trump or independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Mr. Paul said he liked both candidates and aspects of the campaign run by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, though he mostly lambasted Ms. Haley.
“As I look over the field, I don’t think I yet have a first choice, but I do know one thing: count me in as #NeverNikki!” he wrote.
The senator took particular exception to Ms. Haley’s belief that internet posters should be verified instead of remaining anonymous, an assertion that Ms. Haley later walked back.
“Based on her record and campaign, I don’t see how any thoughtful or informed libertarian or conservative should vote for @NikkiHaley,” Mr. Paul wrote.
Mr. Paul weighed in as Ms. Haley rises in the polls, particularly in New Hampshire, and positions herself as the main alternative to Mr. Trump, the clear front-runner in the GOP primary, instead of Mr. DeSantis.
The senator’s non-endorsement is a play on Republicans who assert they are “Never Trump” and earned a mixed reaction from online commentators.
Jenna Ellis, a former Trump lawyer cooperating in the Georgia prosecution against the ex-president, said Mr. Paul was playing it safe.
“’Never Nikki’ is the easiest position for any conservative to take. Tell us who you’re FOR,” she wrote on X.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
