"Nikki Haley's Rising Momentum: Overcoming Immense Challenges"

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is gaining support and attention as a rising rival to former President Donald Trump in the GOP presidential race. Haley's allies are focused on the long game, aiming to outlast other candidates by exceeding expectations in debates and early primary contests. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, once seen as the main alternative to Trump, is now a chief rival. While Haley has embraced support beyond the Trump-aligned wing of the party, some Republicans question whether this will hurt her in the long run. Haley's debate performance was seen as solid, even without a clear breakout moment, as she aimed to appeal to primary voters seeking a more "normal" candidate. However, comments about accepting donations from any donor, including Democrats, may weigh her down among non-Trump candidates. DeSantis is emphasizing his conservative credentials in response to Haley's prominence.