New Hampshire Primary: Chris Sununu Claims Two-Person Race, Ron DeSantis Disagrees
As the New Hampshire primary approaches, there is debate regarding the nature of the race in the state. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and former Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are two of the main contenders, along with former President Donald Trump, who has not yet confirmed his participation in the debates. While Haley and some others argue that the contest is a two-person race between her and Trump, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu disagrees, asserting that DeSantis has given up on the Granite State.
In a recent statement, Sununu claimed that DeSantis has pulled his money and his team from New Hampshire. Sununu further stated that DeSantis hasn't visited the state in a month, implying that he has abandoned his campaign there. However, DeSantis countered this claim by pointing out that he was in New Hampshire just a couple of days ago on December 30th, and accused Sununu of either miscounting or intentionally spreading misinformation.
Moreover, DeSantis rejected Sununu's assertion that he has given up on New Hampshire, emphasizing that his campaign has a strong ground game in the state. DeSantis expressed confidence in outperforming the polls, just as he did in Iowa, where he exceeded expectations.
Regarding the recent polls, it is important to note that their accuracy has been questioned in the past. DeSantis cited the example of a poll in 2012 that was off by 12 percent and incorrectly predicted the winner by nine points in the New Hampshire Republican state primary. In addition, DeSantis highlighted the discrepancy between recent polls and the actual results in Iowa, where he outperformed the projected outcome by 8 percent. Thus, he argued that relying solely on polls may not provide an accurate depiction of the current political landscape.
Another point of contention arose when Haley decided not to participate in the WMUR debate, stating that she would only do so if Trump were present. DeSantis dismissed Haley's stance and claimed that it has more to do with her performance during a previous debate against him, which he characterized as embarrassing. He argued that Haley does not wish to share the stage with him and deflects attention by insisting on Trump's presence.
Looking ahead, DeSantis's focus in New Hampshire seems geared toward discussing his record in Florida, particularly regarding COVID-19 policies, parental rights, and economic matters. He believes that his fiscally conservative approach aligns well with the electorate in New Hampshire, a state known for its fiscal prudence.
As the New Hampshire primary draws near, the contest remains open, with each candidate and their supporters making their case to the voters. With differing opinions on the state of the race, only time will tell which candidate captures the attention and support of the Granite State.