Strong & Proud - Feb. 14, 2023

NIKKI HALEY:

The railroad tracks divided the town by race. I was the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. Not Black not white, I was different. But my mom would always say your job is not to focus on the differences but the similarities.

And my parents reminded me and my siblings every day how blessed we were to live in America. Some look at our past as evidence that America's founding principles are bad. They say the promise of freedom is just made up. Some think our ideas are not just wrong, but racist and evil. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I have seen evil.

In China, they commit genocide. In Iran, they murder their own people for challenging the government, and when a woman tells you about watching soldiers throw her baby into a fire, it puts things in perspective.

Even on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America.

I was born and raised in South Carolina. So I have seen the very best of our country. People here threw out the old tired political establishment and demanded accountability for their tax dollars. Industry reports called us the beast of the southeast, which I loved. People came by the thousands for fresh starts. Moms and dads held their heads up high. Children learned that it was always a great day in South Carolina.

NARRATOR:

It's a great day, it's a great day, a great day, great day in South Carolina.

NIKKI HALEY:

We were strong. We were proud.

And when evil did come…

NEWS REPORTER:

South Carolina looking for a gunman

SECOND NEWS REPORTER:

Following a shooting at a church. Several victims we don't know.

NIKKI HALEY:

They turned away from fear toward God and the values that still make our country the freest and greatest in the world. We must turn in that direction again. Republicans have lost a popular vote in seven out of the last eight presidential elections. That has to change.

Joe Biden's record is abysmal, but that shouldn't come as a surprise. The Washington establishment has failed us over and over and over again. It's time for a new generation of leadership to rediscover fiscal responsibility. Secure our border and strengthen our country, our pride and our purpose. Some people look at America and see vulnerability. The Socialists left sees an opportunity to rewrite history. China and Russia are on the march. They all think we can be bullied. Kicked around.

You should know this about me - I don't put up with bullies, and when you kick back it hurts them more if you're wearing heels.

I'm Nikki Haley and I'm running for president.