It’s desi Haley vs hawkish Rudy for secy of state
Nikki Haley, South Carolina’s Indian-American governor, is being considered for the post of US secretary of state in President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet.
Ms Haley, 44, a rising star in the Republican Party, had backed Senator Marco Rubio in the Republican primary. However, before the general elections, Ms Haley came out in support of Mr Trump, saying that she would be voting for the billionaire tycoon from New York.
The daughter of Indian immigrants, she would bring both racial and gender diversity to Mr Trump’s Cabinet.
Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani is also a strong contender for the position, according to
◗ Ms Haley is the second Indian-American name being floated for a Cabinet position in the Trump administration. Former governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal is also appearing in many short lists.
reports and sources.
In a conference call with reporters Wednesday night, Mr Trump’s transition team spokesman Sean Spicer listed 44-year-old Haley as one of the candidates the President-elect was scheduled to meet on Thursday.
Others 70-year-old Trump would be meeting include former secretary of state Henry Kissinger, General (retd.) Jack Keane, Admiral Mike Rogers and Ken Blackwell.
While some of these meetings are about potential Cabinet members, others are about sharing ideas and advice.
Earlier on Wednesday, a close aide of Mr Trump from South Carolina said that Ms Haley was being considered for a Cabinet position, including that of the secretary of state.
While the news was welcomed in South Carolina, a political analyst appeared to be skeptical of such a proposal.
“Secretary of state is going to be a bit of a stretch for Haley’s area of expertise. Haley has yet to be vetted about foreign policy, trade and protectionism,” said College of Charleston political scientist Kendra Stewart.
Ms Haley is the second Indian-American name being floated for a Cabinet position in the Trump Administration. Former governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal is also appearing in many short lists of potential Cabinet names.