HAMPTON, N.H. — Officials in the Granite State are so proud of hosting the nation's first primary that they aren't afraid to throw shade at the other leadoff state in the nominating process.
“We salute Iowans and thank you for playing, but we want you to take a little break,” Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said at a weekend rally. “Did you know that [Donald] Trump received 56,000 votes in Iowa, a state of over 3 million people!
“Will that sway the Republican choice? I don't think so,” he continued. “Do you know what influences that choice, guys?”
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley embraced that spirit when she spoke at Milford City Hall on Jan. 3. You know you're fixing it. ”
In 20 days, New Hampshire voters will decide whether they actually want to “fix” Iowa.
The Hawkeye State has a spotty track record in picking Republican candidates, with George W. Bush the last caucus winner and nominee in 2000, but New Hampshire in 2008 and 2012. In 2016, he announced that he would elect a Republican candidate, which had been chosen by Republicans the previous three times. A contentious primary election.
And with Trump, 77, winning Iowa by nearly 30 points last week and boasting double-digit approval ratings in New Hampshire, the “fix” could become a coronation.
Asked if the New Hampshire result meant more than the Iowa result, Haley supporter Lizabeth McLaughlin, a native of Marlboro, told the Post: “Yes, it is.”
“Turnout in Iowa was only about 18%. That's not an indicator.”
Kim Rice, a Haley supporter and former New Hampshire House pro tempore speaker, emphasized that everything went well between the two early states.
“I have a very good friend in Iowa, and I said to her, 'Thank God Ron DeSantis has a sense of humor, because Ron Because I wanted to turn it into something,'” Rice said.
“My friend who lives in Iowa, her girlfriend, and I always argue about who is actually the first in the nation. Let's see what happens.”
While Haley voters want to turn the tide, Trump supporters have no problem following Iowa's lead.
“New Hampshire is basically a Trump state,” said Dennis Malbeuf, 58.
Mr. Trump himself is reveling in polling data that shows him holding a commanding lead.
“Now we're down to two, and I think one will probably be gone tomorrow. The other one will be gone in November,” Trump said at a rally in Laconia on the eve of the primary. declared.
Andy Davis, a 56-year-old manufacturing worker from Hopkinton, was confident New Hampshire voters would support the former president.
“I think she's just part of the system,” he said of Haley. “When the media goes after someone, when the system goes after someone, they're probably telling the truth.”
“I was never a fan of Trump until I got into politics. I thought he was just a loud-mouthed New Yorker,” he continued. “But I like what he did for the country.”
Former eldest son Donald Trump Jr. had no doubts about what the final outcome would be, but he was cautious about setting expectations.
Trump Jr. told reporters: “I don't like setting unrealistic expectations, and then if I'm off, I'm not going to let the media, my opponents, and my billionaire donors know about this.'' “It opens the door to prolonging the problem forever.”
early polling data They point to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' withdrawal from the race on Sunday and subsequent endorsement of Trump as a boost to the 45th president.
According to RealClearPolitics' latest tally, President Trump's average approval rating in New Hampshire is 55.8%, significantly higher than Ms. Haley's average approval rating of 36.5%.
