In the race for the 2024 election cycle, Republican strategist Alice Stewart and Democratic strategist Karen Finney provided their insights on recent developments. The focus was on the upcoming Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary and the comments made by former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Haley's remarks in New Hampshire about 'correcting' Iowa's votes were deemed disrespectful by many. While historically, winning the Iowa caucus doesn't guarantee the nomination or general election success, it is crucial to show respect and engage with Iowa voters. Stewart emphasized the importance of not taking any state for granted or insulting its residents. The gaffe could have backfired with undecided voters in Iowa.
Finney speculated that Haley's comments were aimed at the New Hampshire audience, trying to rally support in a state that historically votes differently from Iowa. Given Haley's stronger standing in New Hampshire and South Carolina, she may be banking on a strong finish in those states. However, both strategists agreed that dismissing any group of voters at this stage of the campaign is unwise.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump released an ad targeting Haley in New Hampshire, indicating that he sees her as a threat. The ad focused on Haley's opposition to Trump's border wall and her alignment with Biden on the controversial visitor ban. While Haley has clarified that her stance on the border wall was not outright opposition but a belief that it alone was insufficient, Trump's ad took her comments out of context.
Stewart remarked that Trump's ad reflected his tendency to prioritize political messaging over factual accuracy. The fact that he was spending valuable resources attacking another Republican candidate indicated that he perceives Haley to be a formidable opponent in New Hampshire. Finney suggested that Haley should embrace the challenge and double down on her position, turning it into a winning strategy.
Additionally, Chris Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, released a digital ad in which he admitted to making a mistake in endorsing Trump in 2016. While the ad aimed to win over some disillusioned Trump voters, Finney expressed skepticism, noting that Christie's efforts had not gained enough momentum to significantly impact the race. She predicted that calls for Christie to drop out would increase after the New Hampshire primary.
As the race unfolds, Republicans are grappling with their support for Trump, with some experiencing buyer's remorse. With eyes on challenging President Biden and winning in 2024, a non-Trump candidate who can go head-to-head with Trump, like Haley, holds promise in the polls. Nonetheless, the strategists acknowledged that the sentiment among Republican voters may not align with the polls, and the primary turnout will ultimately determine the trajectory of the race.
