Staff Reports
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is actively engaged in a mission to rally support and draw back moderates, centrists, and independent voters into the Republican Party's fold. In a fierce prelude to New Hampshire's upcoming primary, she is locked in a battle with former President Donald Trump, with the pivotal factor in her victory lying in the persuasion of elusive independent voters and moderate Democrats.
Exuding bold determination, Haley has publicly declared her intent to welcome back those who have strayed from the traditional path of the Republican Party. Addressing a CNN town hall in Henniker, New Hampshire, she emphasized, "I want those moderates. I want those independents. I want them to come back home to the Republican Party because that’s how we win."
Haley's strategic focus hinges on winning over the substantial 40% of independent voters in the New Hampshire electorate. With President Joe Biden absent from the Democratic primary ballot, an outcome of a dispute between New Hampshire law and the Democratic National Committee, there's a significant opportunity for Democrats to cross over and align with Haley in the upcoming primary.
The former ambassador is forthright about not targeting progressive Democrats, acknowledging that they are unlikely to support her. Instead, she directs her efforts towards younger voters, moderates, and independents, hoping to rekindle their allegiance to the Republican Party.
Following a less-than-stellar performance in the Iowa caucuses, where she trailed Trump by 32 points, Haley faces the pressure to secure victory in New Hampshire to salvage her presidential campaign.
Despite trailing Trump in polls by approximately 13 points, according to the RealClearPolitics New Hampshire poll average, Haley remains undeterred. She asserts her strength by citing a Wall Street Journal poll from the previous year, indicating a significant 17-point lead over Biden in a hypothetical showdown.
In a strategic move, Haley leverages the endorsement of Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, a figure with significant appeal among independents. She sees this endorsement as a crucial element in forming a diverse coalition of supporters, including independents, moderate Democrats, and former Chris Christie backers, with the aim of overcoming Trump.
As the stakes rise and tension mounts, the battle for New Hampshire's voters intensifies. Haley leaves no stone unturned in her pursuit of victory, emphasizing her desire to bring people into the party for the ultimate goal of healing and unifying as Americans. The stage is set, the players are in position, and the fate of the Republican Party in New Hampshire hangs in the balance.
