Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee criticized South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for criticizing Donald Trump on Tuesday night.
Newsmax TV host Steve Malzberg said Haley “bashed” frontrunner Donald Trump and asked Huckabee his thoughts on her comments.
“I’m not sure why she needed to do that, because it very well could be Donald Trump may be the Republican nominee,” Huckabee said. “And if he is then we need to unite behind him.”
Huckabee went on to criticize the Republican National Committee for weighing in on the primary process.
“You know, the RNC has been very forceful in saying, ‘We have to all line up and agree that we’re gonna support the nominee and not be third party candidates,’" he said. "Well, if we’re supposed to pledge loyalty to the RNC, then I have every expectation that the RNC had better pledge their support to whoever the nominee is.”
In her speech Tuesday night, Haley criticized Obama’s State of the Union address, while also criticizing heated rhetoric in her own party.
“During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices,” Haley said. “We must resist that temptation. No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country.”
In an interview on Today, Haley confirmed her comments were directed towards Trump and others who contributed to, what she called, “irresponsible talk.”
“Her purpose was to respond to the president, and be more specific in just pointing out that his comments on how great the economy is, how strong our military is — the president was just making it up out of thin air,” Huckabee said.