On the campaign trial, Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley on Wednesday did not cite slavery when asked what she believed caused the U.S. Civil War. Haley was fielding a question from a participant of a town hall meeting in Berlin, New Hampshire.

Nikki Haley: “We need to have capitalism. We need to have economic freedom. We need to make sure that we do all things so that individuals have the liberties so that they can have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to do or be anything they want to be without government getting in the way.”

Town hall participant: “Thank you. And in the year 2023, it’s astonishing to me that you answered that question without mentioning the word 'slavery.'”

Nikki Haley: “What do you want me to say about slavery?”

Town hall participant: “No, you answered my question. Thank you.”

Nikki Haley: “Next question.”

Nikki Haley is the former governor of South Carolina.