The next Republican Party primary election is scheduled to be held in South Carolina. Opinion polls indicate that former President Trump is ahead of his latest rival, Haley. She wants to stay in the race even if she loses.
Nikki Haley exits a dark blue bus. Its name and the slogan “A Better America” appear in red and white letters on the side of the car. About 250 people gathered in the small town of Georgetown to hear her speak.
Haley was governor of South Carolina twice, but even here former President Donald Trump is certain to win the primary. But: Haley doesn't give up. “I'm campaigning until the last person votes,” the 52-year-old said.
Voting so far has taken place in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, with Donald Trump winning by large margins in all three states. All the other candidates in the presidential race: Ron DeSantis and Chris Christie, surrendered, but Haley stayed on. In all polls, she is also behind Trump in South Carolina. So, what keeps Nikki Haley in the race when everything is currently against her?
In an interview with CNN, Haley explains: It is possible that Trump will win all the primaries, but he will lose the presidential election. He added, “I have many concerns if Trump becomes president again. I have even greater concerns about another term for Joe Biden. Both men are causing a lot of chaos and further dividing the country.”
“We need reason and logic again.”
There are poll results that give Haley a much better chance of beating Biden. It can also unite independent voters who don't want to vote for Biden or Trump, but that alone is not enough. “I hope I can give a voice to many Americans. It is not normal for migrants to cross the border under Biden without being stopped,” Haley said.
It is also not normal – like Trump – to criticize the army. “Or using campaign funds to pay personal legal costs. Or siding with a criminal like Putin and alienating partners who supported us after 9/11. We need reason and common sense again. That's what a lot of Americans want and I'm giving them.” “That's for them.”
Haley has her sights set on Super Tuesday
The need for an alternative to Trump exists. This need could grow given his legal troubles. For now, Nikki Haley wants to keep impressing people and has her sights set on Super Tuesday in March, which is the day of the primaries. Voters in 16 states then cast their ballots. Most of them are in the south of the country, such as Texas, Alabama and Georgia.
The race won't actually end until July at the Republican nominating convention in Milwaukee. Whether Nikki Haley actually survives until then also depends on whether enough money continues to flow into her campaign coffers despite the defeats.
Nicole Markwald, ARD Los Angeles, now Austin/Texas, Tagesschau, February 24, 2024, 12:04 am
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