Donald Trump Strengthens Support in New Hampshire Primary
In a show of strength ahead of the New Hampshire primary, former President Donald Trump gathered leaders from Nikki Haley’s home state of South Carolina. The rally took place at the NHU Arena in Manchester on Saturday night, where Trump was joined by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, the state’s lieutenant governor, and several other senior officials. Notable figures such as the state’s attorney general, treasurer, and House speaker also appeared on stage with Trump.
During the rally, Trump proudly declared, “Almost every politician from South Carolina is endorsing me.” The South Carolinians urged voters to help Trump secure a victory in New Hampshire before the contest moves to their state next month.
The appearances by South Carolina officials are seen as a blow to Haley, who hopes to gain support from independent and unaffiliated voters in New Hampshire. She aims to turn the race into a two-person contest against Trump. This comes after Trump received the endorsement of South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, who joined him at a rally in Concord.
Haley, who has a complicated relationship with many of her state’s Republican power brokers, responded to the endorsements by saying, “I’m sorry, is that the person I ran against for governor and beat? Just checking.” Her campaign manager, Betsy Ankney, downplayed the significance of endorsements, stating that they have “never been Nikki’s game.”
During the rally, Trump criticized Haley and New Hampshire’s voting laws, which allow unaffiliated voters to participate in either the Republican or Democratic primary. He urged his supporters to ignore polls and emphasized the need for a big win against his opponents.
Haley seized on a gaffe made by Trump at his previous rally, where he mistakenly suggested that she was in charge of keeping the Capitol secure during the January 6th insurrection. Haley clarified that she was not present at the Capitol that day and criticized Trump’s ability to handle the pressures of the presidency.
Trump, on the other hand, defended his mental acuity and took a cognitive test, which he claims to have aced. He emphasized that despite being 77 years old, he feels his mind is stronger now than it was 25 years ago.
Despite the support from South Carolina’s top elected Republicans, some voters in the state remain undecided. Sandra Chase, a strong Republican voter, attended an event for GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and expressed her preference for him over Trump. DeSantis, who finished second in Iowa, has shifted his focus to South Carolina, where he believes there is more potential for support among independent voters.
In conclusion, Trump’s rally in New Hampshire showcased his strong support from South Carolina leaders, while Haley continues to campaign for independent voters. The race remains competitive as voters weigh their options for the upcoming primary elections.
