Nikki Haley's strong showing in Iowa and New Hampshire could position her as a serious contender against Donald Trump.
Young voters see supporting Haley as a way to voice their opposition to Trump, even if they may not vote for her in the general election.
While Trump maintains a lead, some voters remain optimistic about Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis' chances and hopeful they can stay competitive against him.
Deep dives
Nikki Haley's Momentum in Iowa
Nikki Haley has gained momentum in Iowa, with a strong chance of coming in second place. Despite Donald Trump's lead in the polls, Haley's close finish could send a message that Trump should not be the Republican nominee. Young voters, even those who may not vote for Haley in the general election, see supporting her as a way to voice their opposition to Trump.
Importance of New Hampshire for Nikki Haley
New Hampshire is crucial for Nikki Haley's campaign. With a projected 330,000 voters, and potentially 190,000 undecided voters, a strong showing in Iowa could provide her with the momentum needed to appeal to those who are less engaged in the primary process. Voters, including young ones who registered in New Hampshire, see Haley as a way to send a message against Trump's nomination. Second place in Iowa followed by a close finish in New Hampshire could position her as a serious contender against Trump.
Trump's Dominance in the Republican Primary
While Trump maintains a significant lead in the Republican primary with strong support from the base, there is still a level of uncertainty. Trump's lead is hard to overcome, given his cultural populism and influence within the party's base. However, events for Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis in Iowa drew large crowds, indicating that some voters remain optimistic about their chances and hopeful that they can stay competitive against Trump.
Main Idea 1
Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are the key contenders for second place in the Iowa caucuses after Donald Trump's expected dominant win. If Haley finishes strongly, beating DeSantis, it could boost her momentum heading into New Hampshire. However, some doubt the significance of finishing second or third, believing it won't greatly impact the overall outcome. While second place matters in terms of order of battle and momentum, it may not hold the same weight as a win in Iowa.
Main Idea 2
New Hampshire poses an important question: Can Nikki Haley secure a victory against Donald Trump, given his significant lead in the polls? Haley's strategy of focusing on the undeclared voters and spending ample time campaigning in New Hampshire has shown some positive results, with a recent boost in the polls. To succeed, she must close the deal by highlighting her efforts in the state, securing support from the popular governor, and making the case that she is the candidate who can win against Joe Biden in the general election. New Hampshire Republicans, eager for a win, may be more inclined to support Haley, who offers a potential path to victory.
Steve Hayes and Sarah Isgur kicked off our Iowa conversation with Republican strategist and Iowa guru David Kochel. The three give a play-by-play of the issues plaguing the American people before diving into the GOP candidates’ helpless caucus attempts. Andrew, Chris and Kevin join the stream to answer the question we’re all wondering: Do the Iowa results even matter? Jonah joins for a hot second to give his take on the voters having too much power and David (Drucker) and Mike join in the last half to talk about Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis’ ground campaigns.