Former South Carolina governor and 2024 Republican presidential candidate, Nikki Haley, has acknowledged her mistake in failing to mention slavery as the cause of the Civil War while addressing a voter's question at a recent campaign event. Haley made her clarification during an appearance on "Cavuto Live" on Saturday.

Haley reflected on her response and expressed her agreement with the voter's expectation that she should have acknowledged slavery's role in the Civil War right away. "The first thing I should have said was slavery," she admitted. Recognizing the significance of growing up in the South, Haley emphasized that slavery is an unquestionable element when considering the Civil War.

During a town hall event in New Hampshire, Haley initially responded to the voter's question about the cause of the Civil War by mentioning government's role and the importance of individual liberties. She stated, "I think the cause of the Civil War was basically how government was going to run - the freedoms and what people could and couldn't do." However, she later elaborated on her explanation, emphasizing the importance of capitalism and economic freedom in relation to governmental and individual rights.

The voter expressing shock at the absence of the word "slavery" in Haley's response prompted her to inquire, "What do you want me to say about slavery?" in a somewhat dismissive manner.

Haley faced criticism from various quarters, including the White House and other Republican presidential hopefuls, in response to her original remarks. However, she subsequently clarified her position, acknowledging that slavery was indeed the spark that ignited the Civil War. Haley highlighted her role as a Southern governor in leading efforts to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse in South Carolina, demonstrating her understanding of the deep historical significance of slavery in the region.

While asserting that slavery is a stain on the nation's history, Haley emphasized the larger issue of determining the role of government in people's lives. She laid out the importance of defending individual freedoms and rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the freedom for individuals to pursue their aspirations without government intervention or the interference of others.

Haley concluded her clarification by expressing remorse for not promptly mentioning slavery in her original response. "Yes, I should have said slavery right away," she admitted.

Haley's acknowledgment and clarification come amid a highly scrutinized presidential campaign where candidates face intense scrutiny over their historical perspectives and their ability to address sensitive issues.