How is she gaining so much support?

People want a return to moderate non-idiots in the Republican party.
Haley is the only one who has the balls to go against the pack, which
says a lot about her character.

Christie is also a Conservative moderate but there's a number of
reasons CC probably cannot win, but at least they both have a brain
and are not crazy-MAGAs.

She's a joke

She sells herself to the highest bidder. She's been doing that her whole career.

I think part of it is that Haley is less rapey and gun grabby than Trump is.

This aged really well.

Too bad she soiled her brand by not sticking to her support pledge. She also showed a lack of vision and decisiveness by staying around too long IMO.

Money.

She's gaining support & funding from George Soros is why she's still in this..