Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina, faced a significant financial disadvantage and media bias during her campaign in New Hampshire and Iowa. Despite the support of both state governors, Haley's campaign spending in these states exceeded that of Donald Trump, but she failed to narrow the margin against him to single digits.
Haley's donors, Frank Laukeen, president and CEO of Broker Corporation, and Andy Saban, chairman of Saban Metal Corporation, clarified that they are supporters of Nikki Haley, not donors. They see themselves as independent voters who can influence the outcome of the election. In New Hampshire, they were successful in mobilizing 20% of new voters, with two-thirds of them casting their ballots for Haley.
Critics argue that many of these voters were actually Democrats who switched their registration to independent before the deadline. However, Laukeen and Saban assert that these were truly independent and centrist voters who are crucial for the Republican Party to regain relevance in the general election. They believe that appealing to these voters is essential for the GOP to avoid further losses like losing the Senate and the House in previous elections.
Despite previously stating that Haley needed to win outright in New Hampshire to be considered a viable candidate, Laukeen now suggests it is time for her to fold her campaign. He questions Haley's decision to continue in South Carolina, where she is trailing Trump by 31 points and lacks the support of influential figures such as two Senators and a Governor. Laukeen advises her to withdraw from the race and preserve her political career, while being prepared to reenter the race if unforeseen circumstances cause Trump's campaign to deteriorate.
The donors disagree with Laukeen's opinion, asserting that they believe Haley still has a chance of making significant progress. While acknowledging that she may currently face an uphill battle, they emphasize that the Super Bowl, figuratively representing the general election, is still months away. They express confidence that as voters become more acquainted with Haley and assess her in comparison to Trump, she will gain traction and attract more support.
When asked about whether Haley will win in South Carolina, her supporters admit uncertainty but reiterate their focus on South Carolina and Super Tuesday. They argue that it is too early to give up on her candidacy, especially when 70% of Americans reportedly do not want a Trump-Biden rematch.
In response to their arguments, critics maintain that the lack of support for Haley in previous states indicates a failure to garner sufficient voter enthusiasm. They suggest that continuing to insult Trump on the campaign trail will not help regain the support of his voters.
As the race progresses and the candidates vie for support, it remains to be seen how Nikki Haley's campaign will fare and whether she can overcome the challenges she faces in securing the Republican nomination.
