Trump Seeks Knockout Blow Performance in New Hampshire to Become Presumptive Nominee

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is also a one-time candidate who withdrew late last year, but even though Haley had appointed her to the Senate more than a decade ago, Trump supported. Scott's move to endorse Trump instead is particularly hurtful, as both Trump and Haley sought Scott's support. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, meanwhile, has supported Trump even before the Iowa caucuses, and on the eve of the New Hampshire primary, he met Ramaswamy in a grand finale full of fireworks befitting Trump's Republican era. He joined Mr. Scott in Mr. Trump's campaign.

Given the changing trajectory of events and Trump's rapidly consolidating support in the remaining districts, Haley will finally face her long-desired challenge with Trump in the nation's first primary on Tuesday. They will be able to compete in a one-on-one confrontation. Republicans believe that, with rare exceptions at this stage, Haley's shock outright victory over Trump would essentially doom her campaign's future prospects. . Haley is not attending the next Nevada Republican caucus in February, and is competing in the U.S. Virgin Islands caucus on the same day, February 8th, so her If you choose to hold out until then, the next real battle will come. South Carolina will hold its first primary in the South on February 24, more than a month away. She won't be able to survive that long, especially with President Trump deftly beating her in the polls even more than a newcomer. At best, that's unlikely in Hampshire, which could result in an embarrassing defeat in its home state.

As with preparations for the Iowa caucuses, in preparation for the New Hampshire primary, the ultimate winner is less important. At this point, Haley's top surrogate, New Hampshire Republican Governor Chris Sununu, is trying to downgrade her expectations from predicting a win to expecting a better-than-expected second-place finish. But with the race now narrowed to two candidates, unless Haley can seriously close the gap on Trump in the Granite State and finish close or win, Trump will be here. He could be on a fast track to winning the nomination outright on Tuesday night.

In other words, New Hampshire voters could put Donald Trump over the top by giving her a strong majority and giving Haley a double-digit victory — effectively Haley. It means they can deal the final blow to him, end this primary that never really existed, and clear the race. Trump will have an advantage very early in the cycle. Of course, if Trump finishes with a double-digit lead over Haley, her path forward becomes virtually non-existent, with her withdrawing either Tuesday evening after the race is called or even days later. there is a possibility. . What this means is that former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, another 2024 Republican candidate who declined, was absolutely correct when he said on a hot mic that Haley was “smoking.” It's probably free.

Even if Haley were to withdraw from the race, it would likely happen again sooner rather than later with another decisive victory for President Trump on Tuesday, and his campaign to become the Republican nominee for president for the third straight year. No matter how futile it may be, it does not leave such a serious challenge. election. So Trump is certain to be this year's Republican presidential nominee, and all he has to do to get the delegates he needs going forward is to check a box and avoid having to campaign in South Carolina next time. . -Michigan, Idaho, Missouri, and 14 Super Tuesday states.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Manchester, New Hampshire, January 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

If successful, ending the campaign a month and a half before Super Tuesday will be a huge benefit for Trump heading into the general election. That would save Trump and the Republican Party a lot of money by running against Democratic President Joe Biden. Indeed, in such a likely scenario, Biden would still face a primary challenge as the incumbent president from his remaining rival, Rep. Dean Phillips (D). -MN) and author Marianne Williamson — Republicans are eyeing the general election. It also allows Republicans to spend more of their time, their most valuable asset in politics, focused on winning the general election and building enthusiasm for Biden and the Democratic Party. It also allows Mr. Trump to launch an early campaign in presidential battleground states, allowing him to attack Mr. Biden hard in states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. right.

President Trump told Breitbart News in late December that he intended to “fight a tough battle” against blue states such as New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Virginia and New Mexico. Signing a presumptive candidate by the end of January bodes well for these purposes as well. Mr. Trump could now infiltrate them with little risk. Or he could spend his free time helping Republicans crush the immigration deal he's been orchestrating in the U.S. Senate, or use it in court battles. But then again, more time is a commodity that can never be replaced, and Trump won it with an early finish to the nomination (starting with a decisive victory over Haley in New Hampshire). The gains are very good for him and bad news for Biden.