Nikki Haley's 2024 campaign has growing popularity -- and several recent 'stumbles,' experts say

Nikki Haley has seen her 2024 Republican primary standing rise in polling in recent months

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has seen her 2024 Republican primary standing rise in polling in recent months, particularly after well-received debate performances while running what some other conservatives described as a largely error-free campaign.

But in the weeks leading up to Iowa's caucuses on Monday, Haley has had to address a string of "stumbles" on the trail, as one operative said.

Those include not initially citing slavery as a cause of the Civil War -- stirring days of headlines and follow-up answers -- and saying both that New Hampshire voters would "correct" Iowa's caucuses (taken as a local slight) and that candidates change their personalities in different states.

She has also faced scrutiny for how she balances criticism of former President Donald Trump, saying as recently as last week that he "will have to answer" for what happened on Jan. 6., with vows to pardon him, if needed, so the country can move "forward."

At CNN's debate on Tuesday, rival Ron DeSantis hammered her over the headlines. She exhibited "ballistic podiatry," he said -- fancy wording for shooting herself in the foot.