Will the Republicans send Trump or Haley into the race for the US presidency? The answer to this has a lot to do with what is happening in New Hampshire today: a duel that has the entire state in its grip.
On the last day of the campaign before the US primaries in New Hampshire, Nikki Haley drives from event to event. She takes selfies, pours beer in the restaurant where she performs and shakes hands. It could have been their last attempt to prevent Donald Trump from becoming their party’s top candidate.
Haley finally has the duel that she had long wanted. With Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ending his campaign, it’s just her and Trump left. According to Haley’s campaign spokeswoman, at least half a million dollars in donations have been raised for her since then.
More Haley supporters than expected
The escalation of the election campaign can also be felt in the small town of Franklin. In addition to dozens of camera teams, significantly more supporters came to a Haley event than expected.
“We were prepared for a small event – and now we have almost no space left,” says co-organizer Chuck Berube. The pensioner is wearing the blue shirt of an organization that supports US war veterans.
If it hadn’t been for January 6, 2021 and the storming of the Capitol, he would be voting for Trump today. Chuck sees it this way: Whoever is defeated in the election campaign modestly makes room for the next person. The opposite of Trump’s reaction to President Joe Biden’s election victory at the time.
Biden’s name comes up more often in New Hampshire, even though he isn’t even on the Democratic ballot because of an internal party dispute. However, he is almost certain to be nominated again.
Orde, Gabby and Ari Kittrie traveled to New Hampshire specifically to support Nikki Haley.
“Most important area code in history”
Orde Kittrie traveled to New Hampshire from Maryland with his son Ari and daughter Gabby. Eight hours – just to support Nikki Haley. Their primary elections aren’t until May. But a kind of preliminary decision could already be made today: For Orde, this is basically the Super Bowl, only in politics.
“I have the impression that this is the most important primary election in American history. Because it will determine whether Donald Trump faces Joe Biden in the presidential election. A very momentous decision that people here have to make,” he says.
Lisa Bresciano, here with her daughter, is a big Trump supporter. She has attended every Trump campaign event in the area since 2016.
Haley far behind Trump in polls
The support hasn’t helped Haley much so far. She is trailing Trump in the polls. Far enough for him not to even attend some campaign events in New Hampshire.
Instead he sends his son: Trump Junior is celebrated at a performance in the small town of Hollis as if he were his father. He himself thinks that the support this time is even greater than in recent years: “I’m not even a candidate yet and I’m still being received like that here. That puts everything we’ve experienced in the last few years in the shade,” he says he. And: “People have had enough and will vote accordingly.”
Trump hats, Trump scarves, Trump signs
There are no objections to his appearance in Hollis. Many of the people here are wearing Trump hats, scarves or signs. Lisa Bresciano also brought a coffee mug with his face on it.
She says she is a big Trump supporter. “I’ve been attending every campaign event in the area since 2016.” She will be one of many voting for Trump in New Hampshire today.
Isabell Karras, ARD Washington, currently Nashua/New Hampshire, tagesschau, January 23, 2024 7:06 a.m