In a surprising turn of events during the third Republican primary debate, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley found herself in the crosshairs of fellow GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who likened her and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to “Dick Cheney in 3-inch heels.” Haley’s response? A peculiar assertion that her shoes are not a fashion statement, but “ammunition.”
Ramaswamy’s comparison drew attention for its unique blend of sartorial critique and political commentary. Dick Cheney, former Vice President under George W. Bush, is known for his hawkish foreign policy stances. The implication seemed to be that Haley and DeSantis, both potential 2024 presidential contenders, might follow in Cheney’s aggressive foreign policy footsteps, albeit in more stylish footwear.
NEW: Nikki Haley’s X account appears to have threatened Vivek Ramaswamy after he made fun of her and Ron Desantis for being “Dick Cheney 3 inch heels.”
The comment from Haley came after Vivek called her out for getting rich off of politics.
“You have the likes of Nikki Haley,… pic.twitter.com/r5WAT9VDWm
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 9, 2023
Vivek Ramaswamy called Nikki Haley “Dick Cheney in three-inch heels” during tonight's debate.
She fired back saying they're actually five inches and are “for ammunition.”
More key moments from the third GOP debate: https://t.co/VV0pS7axLg pic.twitter.com/kKMWAjATX7
— POLITICO (@politico) November 9, 2023
Haley, however, took the opportunity to turn Ramaswamy’s dig into a moment of her own. She corrected him on the height of her heels, claiming they were five inches, not three. Then, in a bizarre twist, she declared the heels were not for fashion, but “ammunition.”
In the days immediately following January 6, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would have used her high heels to engage in hand-to-hand combat with supporters of former President Donald Trump.
what
— shoe (@shoe0nhead) November 9, 2023
What? There is bullets in your shoes?
— Daily Roman Updates (@UpdatingOnRome) November 9, 2023
so ur gonna shoot ur heels at brown kids in the middle east?
— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) November 9, 2023
Literally what?
— Chaya Raichik (@ChayaRaichik10) November 9, 2023
I don’t understand what this is supposed to mean.
— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) November 9, 2023
While some might find Haley’s retort amusing or even empowering, others might see it as a distraction from the substantive issues at hand. The debate was meant to be a platform for discussing pressing national and international concerns, such as the economy, foreign policy, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Yet, instead of addressing these topics head-on, Haley chose to focus on a metaphorical interpretation of her footwear. This pivot away from policy discussion raises questions about her readiness to tackle the serious challenges a presidential candidate must face.
Moreover, Haley’s comment could be seen as an attempt to deflect from the crux of Ramaswamy’s critique – that she might adopt an overly aggressive stance on foreign policy, akin to Cheney. Rather than substantively addressing this concern, she chose to make a quip about her shoes.
As the 2024 election cycle continues, it remains to be seen whether Haley’s unconventional debate tactics will resonate with voters. For now, her shoe “ammunition” comment serves as a reminder of the often unexpected twists and turns of the political campaign trail.
