On Saturday night, when Nikki Haley approached the podium, the boldness she displayed following her defeat in New Hampshire a month ago had vanished. With a serious expression, she seemed momentarily on the verge of exiting the Republican nomination race.
Defeat at Home, Hope in Race
“Our country will fall apart if we make the wrong choices. This has never been about me or my political future. We need to beat Joe Biden in November,” Nikki Haley declared, as the crowd anxiously waited.
Doubting Trump’s Chances
Following her defeat in South Carolina, her home state, Nikki Haley remained resolute about staying in the presidential race.
She argued that Donald Trump is not capable of defeating President Biden in the upcoming November election, citing her own vote margins in New Hampshire and South Carolina as evidence of voters seeking an alternative.
A Striking Departure
Haley shifted gears: “I don’t believe Donald Trump can beat Joe Biden.”
This was a striking departure from her Jan. 23 position, where she converted her 43% in New Hampshire’s vote from a defeat to a kind of win, and promised to surpass Trump in South Carolina, her home state.
Resolute Haley Continues the Fight
And while Haley again confirmed her participation in the race on Saturday, her firmness this time appeared to be driven more by resolute perseverance than by positive self-assurance.
The MAGA Blacklist
On Saturday night, Trump offered his own counter-narrative. In New Hampshire, his victory speech included a threat to blacklist anyone supporting Haley’s campaign from MAGA, treating his “Make America Great Again” movement like one of his exclusive golf clubs.
No Room for Haley Supporters
In a very clear statement, Trump has declared that anyone who financially supported his primary rival will be excluded from the “Make America Great Again” community.
Trump’s Rant on Truth Social
In an extensive rant on Truth Social, he targeted former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, whom he labeled a “birdbrain.”
Trump firmly stated he would reject any of her donors trying to switch sides. He lambasted Haley, accusing her of being harmful to both the Republican Party and the country, citing her “False Statements, Derogatory Comments, and Humiliating Public Loss.”
Election Insights from Trump
He suggested her anger should be directed at her political advisors and Joe Biden, not those he perceives as the nation’s saviors. Trump also reflected on his past election experiences, noting that donors of his opponents eventually rallied behind him as campaigns concluded.
Trump’s Tactful Silence
In Columbia, South Carolina, Trump refrained from mentioning Nikki Haley by name, his foremost competitor — an approach that wasn’t particularly gracious but also not derogatory.
Graham Gets Booed At
Trump focused on expressing gratitude to his supporters and nearly ventured into insult territory only when he introduced Sen. Lindsey Graham, playfully remarking he was “a little to the left” of the audience, leading to boos for the senior senator of the state.
A Surprising Show of Unity
While Trump is not typically seen as a figure of unity, his demeanor in Columbia suggested an effort to consolidate Republican support for his nomination. He steered clear of criticizing Haley’s supporters or threatening her campaign donors.
Realistic Electoral View
On her part, Haley was more realistic about her electoral performance than previously, acknowledging she secured about 40% of the vote, a slight downturn from the 43% she claimed in New Hampshire.
Haley Faces the Numbers
The word “about” played a crucial role in her statement, especially since her super PAC had earlier asserted she needed to outdo her New Hampshire results to show real progress, which she did not achieve.
Addressing Electoral Math
Haley employed the term “hard truth” to candidly address her supporters, though this did not lead to her exiting the presidential race. “I’m an accountant. I know 40% is not 50%,” she admitted to her audience. “But I also know 40% is not some tiny group.”
Congratulating Trump Amid Boos
Speaking to a disappointed crowd at her election party in a Charleston hotel ballroom, Haley acknowledged, “I want to congratulate Donald Trump on his victory,” which was met with boos.
A Shoutout to South Carolina
She expressed gratitude to South Carolinians for making their voices heard, declaring her love for the people and achievements of the state.
Haley’s Optimistic Closing
Haley wrapped up her speech with a hint of optimism, “Today is not the end of our story,” leaving open various possibilities for the future.
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