NEW DELHI: In a decisive victory, former President Donald Trump clinched the Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire, propelling him towards a potential rematch with President Joe Biden in the November election. Despite this setback, Nikki Haley, Trump's primary adversary and former UN ambassador, remains steadfast, declaring to her supporters, "This race is far from over."
Trump's dominance
With 25% of the votes counted, Trump's lead was pronounced, holding 55.0% against Haley's 43.5%. His victory in New Hampshire, following a previous win in Iowa, marks a historic sweep not seen since 1976. Despite mounting pressure from within the GOP for Haley to bow out, her campaign is unwavering, pledging to continue at least until the "Super Tuesday" primaries.
Haley's resilience and challenges
While Haley's performance in New Hampshire fell short of expectations, her resolve remains unshaken. She boldly challenges Trump to a debate and positions herself as the "last one standing" against him.
Now, Haley's path to becoming the GOP standard-bearer is narrowing quickly. She won’t compete in a contest that awards delegates until South Carolina’s February 24 primary. As the state’s former governor, she’s hoping a strong showing there could propel her into the March 5 Super Tuesday contests. But in a deeply conservative state where Trump is exceedingly popular, those ambitions may be tough to realize and a home-state loss could prove politically devastating.
Haley vowed Tuesday night to stay in the race and push ahead to South Carolina. “New Hampshire is first in the nation; it is not the last in the nation," she said. "This race is far from over. There are dozens of states left to go.”
"They know Trump is the only Republican in the country who Joe Biden can defeat," Haley, 52, warned.
Biden's silent victory
On the Democratic side, President Biden won the New Hampshire primary through write-in votes, not appearing on the ballot due to a dispute over the election's timing. Despite this unconventional victory, it underscores his potential for a strong showing in the upcoming election.
Voter sentiments and concerns
Exit polls reveal a complex landscape. While Trump's legal challenges cast a shadow over his campaign, a significant portion of Republican voters remain skeptical about the legitimacy of Biden's 2020 victory. Conversely, economic concerns and a perception of Biden's administration's performance could sway voter sentiment.
Looking ahead
As the race intensifies, Trump's campaign juggles legal battles with campaign efforts, casting him as a victim of political persecution. Haley, despite the uphill battle, remains determined to challenge the status quo, aiming to reshape the narrative in South Carolina and beyond.
Despite securing a victory on Tuesday, exit polls suggest potential weaknesses for Trump in a general election. He is contending with four separate criminal indictments, encompassing charges related to his attempts to reverse his 2020 election loss and his possession of confidential documents after vacating the White House in 2021.
Exit polling by Edison revealed that approximately 44% of Republican primary voters expressed doubts about Trump's suitability for office if he were to be convicted.
A majority of these voters also denied the legitimacy of Biden's 2020 election victory, mirroring Trump's unsubstantiated allegations of widespread electoral fraud.
However, the data also pointed to concerns for Biden. Nearly 75% of those voting in the Republican primary described the state of the economy as either poor or below par, highlighting an area where Biden's administration has found it challenging to showcase its achievements.
(With inputs from agencies)
