Trump Seeks Commanding Victory in New Hampshire, Setting Stage for Potential Biden Rematch
Donald Trump is setting his sights on a commanding victory in New Hampshire this Tuesday, aiming to secure a sweep of the first two Republican primary races. A successful outcome would make a November rematch with President Joe Biden appear more likely than ever. The primary question revolves around whether Trump’s last major rival, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, can either eat into his margin or pull off an upset outright. Haley has invested substantial time and financial resources in New Hampshire, hoping to appeal to its famously independent-minded electorate.
In the first results released early Tuesday, all six registered voters of the tiny town of Dixville Notch cast their ballots for Haley over Trump. While Trump won New Hampshire’s Republican primary decisively in 2016, some of his allies faced setbacks during the midterms two years ago. Haley faces the challenge of competing against an opponent deeply connected to the GOP base and aiming to win the state decisively, effectively ending the competitive phase of the Republican primary.
If successful, Trump would become the first Republican presidential candidate to win open races in both Iowa and New Hampshire since these states began leading the election calendar in 1976, signaling his continued hold on the party’s most loyal voters.
Trump’s allies are already urging Haley to exit the race, and these calls would likely intensify if he wins New Hampshire easily. Her withdrawal would effectively decide the GOP primary at an early stage, well before the majority of Republican voters across the country have had the opportunity to cast their votes.
Haley, however, remains determined, campaigning alongside New Hampshire’s popular Republican governor, Chris Sununu, a Trump critic. She insists that she’s in the race for the long run, emphasizing the need for new solutions and a departure from the chaos of the past. Haley acknowledges the race as a two-person contest and believes in offering an alternative to the status quo.
The recent departures from the race may impact both candidates. Haley could gain support from former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s backers, while Trump may consolidate support from conservative voters who were previously backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who ended his White House bid recently.
Trump, appearing at a pre-primary rally in Laconia with South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, is already looking ahead to being the last Republican candidate standing. He remarked on the possibility of Haley dropping out after New Hampshire, expressing a non-committal stance but hinting at the potential.
Despite facing four criminal cases and 91 felony counts, Trump continues to enjoy strong support from his base. Supporters like Scot Stebbins Sr., attending Trump’s rally, laud him as “the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln” and appreciate his resistance to corruption.
While Democrats are also holding a primary in New Hampshire, it deviates from recent memory. President Biden championed new Democratic National Committee rules that shifted the primary process to begin in South Carolina on Feb. 3, giving Black voters an earlier and more significant role in determining the nominee. However, New Hampshire Democrats, citing state laws, proceeded with their primary as scheduled, with Biden not campaigning in the state.
Biden’s absence and the rule changes have led to an unconventional Democratic primary in New Hampshire. Voters can choose from the president’s two little-known major primary challengers, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson. Despite this, many of the state’s top Democrats supported a write-in campaign expecting Biden to secure a comfortable victory.
Some voters express frustration with Biden’s approach, such as Karen Padgett, an undeclared voter, who voted for Trump in the last two elections but is now open to new leadership. She acknowledges Haley’s promises to shake up Washington and inject new perspectives into politics.
In contrast to focusing on New Hampshire, Biden joins Vice President Kamala in northern Virginia for a rally in defense of abortion rights, a key issue for Democrats nationwide. Despite the unconventional Democratic primary, there is a growing sense of inevitability surrounding a November reprisal of Biden versus Trump. Both candidates face criticism over their age, with Biden at 81 and Trump at 77, and each depicts the other as unfit for another White House term.
Public opinion polls suggest that a majority of Americans oppose a rematch. A December AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that 56% of U.S. adults would be dissatisfied with Biden as the Democratic nominee, and 58% felt the same about Trump as the GOP pick. Some New Hampshire voters echo this sentiment, expressing disappointment in the limited choices offered by the two front-runners.
Jeff Caira, a 66-year-old Republican from Sanbornton, voices his dissatisfaction, emphasizing the need for a candidate who addresses issues rather than being weighed down by baggage. He reflects on the disappointment of having the two front-runners as the best options for the country despite its size.
As the primary results unfold in New Hampshire, the political landscape is poised for a potential Trump victory and a consequential step toward a Biden-Trump rematch in November.
Evan Archer, a seasoned journalist with an insatiable curiosity for unraveling the complexities of global affairs, stands at the forefront of contemporary world news. Born with an innate passion for storytelling, Archer has dedicated his career to shedding light on the intricate tapestry of international events, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of geopolitical dynamics.
