Haley Speech Fuel's Speculation About Her Political Future.
TAPPER: She's not even out of office. She's only days removed from that Oval Office goodbye photo op. But outgoing U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is already cracking jokes at the expense of her boss, President Trump and drumming up among the chattering class even more speculation about her political future.</s>NIKKI HALEY, UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: Actually, when the president found out that I was Indian-American, he asked me if I was from the same tribe as Elizabeth Warren.</s>TAPPER: CNN's Jessica Dean's joins me now. And Jessica, Nikki Haley says she's not running for president. But as Maggie Haberman noted, that was a Trump joke disguised as an Elizabeth Warren joke.</s>JESSICA DEAN, CNN WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: That's right. Jake, and this appearance as you alluded to has the political world buzzing. She told jokes, she also got serious about what she described as our toxic political environment. This speech is her first big public appearance since announcing her resignation, and it has only added fuel to that speculation she is gearing up for what comes next in her political life.</s>JIM GAFFIGAN, AMERICAN STAND-UP COMEDIAN: It is my pleasure to introduce the next President of the United States, Nikki Haley.</s>DEAN: Didn't take long for speculation to swirl about Nikki Haley's political future, as she let loose at the Al Smith Dinner known for politicians unloading one-liners.</s>HALEY: Everyone in Washington called me with advice about this speech. They all said the same thing, "Do not under any circumstances make any jokes about the president." So, good night everybody.</s>DEAN: She didn't shy away from teasing her soon-to-be former boss.</s>HALEY: The president called me this morning and gave me some really good advice. He said, if I get stuck for last, just brag about his accomplishment. It really killed at the U.N. I got to tell you.</s>DEAN: Haley did nothing to dispel the notion she is planning for the future, using the speech as a chance to introduce herself weaving in biography with jokes.</s>HALEY: People always wonder if I felt different or isolated as an Indian-American growing up in rural South Carolina. Actually, there was a benefit. It totally prepared me for being a Republican in New York.</s>DEAN: But she had more somber things to say about the current political landscape.</s>HALEY: We have some serious political differences here at home. But our opponents are not evil, they're just our opponents.</s>DEAN: A stark contrast to President Trump who's known to call opponents and media members evil.</s>TRUMP: Was a disgraceful situation brought about by people that are evil. I've known some fellow Americans that are pretty evil.</s>DEAN: Haley who at times contradicted the president during her time as U.N. Ambassador, announced her resignation 10 days ago. Vowing to support the president during an unusual sendoff in the Oval Office.</s>HALEY: No, I am not running for 2020, I can promise you what I'll be doing is campaigning for this one.</s>DEAN: But with her time as a member of his administration coming to a close, she can now focus on what comes next.</s>HALEY: People ask me all the time what they should call me. Governor, ambassador, Nikki, you can call me anything. Just don't call me anonymous.</s>DEAN: And when she transitions out of the administration, she's going to have a greater ability to differentiate herself from President Trump, like what we saw with that comment about political opponents' not being evil. Jake, I think it's fair to say a lot of people wondering what comes next for her and we're just going have to see but a lot of speculation out there.</s>TAPPER: Jessica Dean, thanks so much. Appreciate it. Be sure to tune in Sunday morning, "THE STATE OF THE UNION". My guests will be Republican Senator Ben Sasse. You can see that 9:00 a.m. and noon, Eastern. And Sunday evening, I'll be moderating the Florida gubernatorial debate between Mayor Andrew Gillum and Congressman Ron DeSantis in Tampa, Florida. That all happens live right here on CNN at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. Our coverage on CNN continues right now.