BEAUFORT, S.C. – Supporters of former Palmetto State Governor Nikki Haley can read the poll.
They know Donald Trump’s former ambassador to the United Nations is likely to lose again by a wide margin to his former boss in Saturday’s primary in his home state, but they are also prepared for Trump’s campaign. , is hoping to remain in the election race anyway. Trump, 77, has health problems or is “incarcerated.”
Nearly all potential Haley voters interviewed by the Post this week acknowledged Haley’s track record during her six years as South Carolina governor and hoped she would pull off an upset victory, but there’s no chance of that happening. I recognized that it was.
Mr. Haley’s donor, 77-year-old Gordon Gibson, told the Post on Tuesday afternoon that he had “zero confidence in that” after Mr. Haley vowed to continue the race regardless of Saturday’s result. .
He added that the 45th president “has the support of hardcore voters who are in the minority of the total vote.” “I think that’s the only way.” [she can win], that’s disgusting. Unless he’s locked up. [but] I’m not very impressed with these lawsuits filed against him. ”
Gibson added that Haley’s campaign funding is likely to continue, calling Haley’s presence on the campaign trail “a good, well-meaning, loving person reminiscent of Ronald Reagan.” “We’re going to spread the message of America.”
Haley supporter Wayne Agren, 83, who attended Tuesday’s speech in Greenville, told the paper he was already looking ahead to Super Tuesday on March 5 “on the other side of South Carolina.” I agree with the campaign.
Beating South Carolina is a long way off. So I think it’s really important to look outside of South Carolina,” he said. “There are still a lot of states left, so that could make a big difference.”
David Hopstetter, 78, added that Haley should keep fighting as insurance against the unknown.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen between now and November anyway, whether it’s President Trump or whoever,” he said.
“I think she’ll be okay.” [in South Carolina.] I hope it’s enough for her to continue her campaign. ”
“I think that possibility is very high.” [for Haley to get the nomination]” said Gary Smith, 74. “The current situation is one of all confusion and ongoing court trials and investigations.”
Two female Haley supporters who attended the Greenville event, who chose to remain anonymous to speak candidly, expressed a more pessimistic view.
“I don’t know if we’re going to win, but I hope she gets close to it. For her to win the election…I really don’t know,” one person said.
“I think she has one of her lawsuits on hold.” [Trump] And she would step in to prevent him from running for president. I think she’s making a bet that something might happen because it’s just the two of them. He is old, like Biden, so it could be a health issue. Anything could happen in the meantime, and if something happened to Trump, it would be natural for her to intervene,” added a second supporter.
A third Haley supporter had openly said before November that President Trump “might die,” leaving open the possibility of free entry within the Republican Party.
At Wednesday night’s Beaufort rally, voters were similarly divided on Haley’s prospects.
James Morgan said a candidate needs “enough Republicans” to understand that President Trump cannot defeat President Biden in November.
“It takes time and hard work to build something good. But… even if Trump wins two-thirds of South Carolina and gets a very enthusiastic two-thirds; “You can’t win the general election. That’s irrelevant,” he said.
Another supporter, Scott Hammond, argued that Haley should consider a different path to the general election, citing Trump’s “shocking” level of support.
“My hope is that she runs as an independent. I think it will be difficult for her to beat Mr. Trump in the primary for a variety of reasons,” Hammond said.
Haley on Wednesday expressed concern that she was trying to position herself as “insurance” for the Republican Party.
“My personal view is that we’re going to do everything we can to win as a Republican,” she said on Fox News Channel’s “America’s Newsroom.” “Look, he’s already been sentenced to three sentences and he’s going to have to pay over $500 million. All he’s talking about is these trials, and he’s not talking about the American people. And that’s a problem.”
