Dispatch Live Unlocked: Nikki's Night in New Hampshire
Jan 24, 2024
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Mike Warren, Declan Garvey, Steve Hayes, John McCormack, Andrew Egger, David Drucker, and Chris Stirewalt discuss Nikki Haley's remarks on primary night, voter sentiment in South Carolina, a Biden/Harris campaign event, fanfare at Trump HQ, and how Nikki can stay in the race as the GOP pick.
Nikki Haley challenges Donald Trump to a debate and calls for mental competency tests for politicians over 75.
Haley's prospects in South Carolina remain uncertain but a strong performance in New Hampshire could provide a path forward for her campaign.
By persisting in the race and attacking Trump, Nikki Haley indicates she is not running for the vice presidency and is focused on capturing support beyond South Carolina.
Deep dives
Nikki Haley criticizes Donald Trump in her speech
Nikki Haley intensified her criticisms of Donald Trump in her speech, challenging him to a debate and calling for mental competency tests for politicians over 75. Despite trailing Trump by 9% in New Hampshire, Haley vowed to stay in the race and emphasized that it was far from over.
Haley's chances in South Carolina
Haley's prospects in South Carolina remain uncertain. While she could rely on support from voters in the more affluent first district, the larger portion of the state is heavily pro-Trump. If she can replicate her performance in New Hampshire and keep it between the 40-yard lines, it could provide a path forward for her campaign.
Possibility of a Trump-Haley debate
By challenging Trump to a debate, Haley is attempting to goad him into participating. While a nine-point margin in New Hampshire may not be enough to convince Trump to engage, the possibility remains open as Haley continues to criticize him and push for a face-off on the debate stage.
Unlikely vice presidential candidacy
Haley's recent remarks and actions suggest she is not running for the vice presidency and has ruled it out as a future aspiration. While speculation had previously surrounded her as a potential running mate, her focus on attacking Trump and her commitment to staying in the race indicate otherwise.
The road ahead for Haley
As Haley persists in the race, her reputation among different factions of the Republican Party will be impacted. She will face opposition from the pro-Trump faction as well as those who want to avoid damaging the party's chances in the 2028 election. How long Haley continues to fight and how far she can go will depend on her willingness to endure the potential consequences and her ability to capture support from regions beyond South Carolina.
Nikki didn’t pull an upset Tuesday night but what’s next for her campaign? Mike Warren joins Declan Garvey and Steve Hayes from Haley HQ to discuss her remarks through primary night. John McCormack reports from South Carolina on what voters are saying in the former governor’s home state while Andrew Egger gives an update from a Biden/Harris campaign event. David Drucker joins us from Trump HQ with the expected celebratory fanfare from that event, and Chris Stirewalt joins in the end to give his analysis on how Nikki can stay in the race as the GOP pick.