How South Carolina’s GOP primary results may affect Haley’s fight for the nomination

>> Today, South Carolina has a primary that is a crucial test for Nikki Haley and her effort to puncture Donald Trump's air of inevitability. She has big -- he has big leads over her nationwide. The number of delegates already allocated really matters. We are at Nikki Haley selection headquarters. What was the competing messages from these two candidates in this campaign? >> Over the past few days, we have seen both candidates crisscross the state spending multiple time in every region of the state. President trump said he is the person the party needs to elect. He can unite the country and make America great again. A very consistent message we have been hearing from him since his time in office. Nikki Haley, what we have been hearing from her, some consistency and some switches. We have seen her sharpen attacks against the former president. And draw parallels between her party challenger and president Biden, saying they're both creators of chaos and she is the person the party needs to elect to represent them and she is the person who can beat president Biden later this year. We have seen her try to differentiate herself or segue to make her of the arrogance. To all of the voters that she wants to represent the party and beat president Biden in November. >> This is a state where they twice elected Nikki Haley as governor. Where did the big-name Republican and up lining up for this campaign? >> That is the interesting thing. Nikki Haley served as governor twice. She was born here in south Carolina. She spent some time this week in her small hometown. Even though this is her home state, she does not seem to be gaining traction or be able to make steady and deep and loyal connections president trump has. The only major party member that supports her who has vouched for her is congressman Ralph Norman. One of our reporters spoke with him earlier this week. All of the other senior party leaders have endorsed and supported and been on the campaign trail and had a photo ops with trump. South Carolina is Nikki Haley's home state but you often hear people say this is trump country. Yamiche: Nikki Haley says she will keep going despite what happens today. She has talked about pushing onto super Tuesday. She made a big ad buy in super Tuesday states. Those are campaign see a path to the nomination or the is there another rationale for staying in the race? >> I think a little bit of both. She is staying in the race because she can. We also hear her say that she is not going to pull out because she wants every voter, every American, to have her voice heard. I think that is part of a messaging to differentiate herself from trump. Not just attacking him but trying to shift name recognition over a. That she is the person who can best represent the party. And represent the country. All Americans. She recently told Fox News you do not shun people when you're running for president. You do not shun people who are different from you. Trying to shift a little bit to let all residents now, -- know, let's get further down the road because I am the better candidate for the party and the country. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. ♪♪

Channel: PBS NewsHour

Views: 90,962

Keywords: 2024 GOP primary, 2024 primaries, Former President Donald Trump, nikki haley, South Carolina, south carolina primaries, south carolina primary, vote 2024

Id: HKVlQgSIsng

Length: 4min 27sec (267 seconds)

Published: Sat Feb 24 2024