DeSantis drops out as Trump and Haley face off in New Hampshire

Summary

The 2024 Republican presidential primary race has narrowed to two candidates, former president Donald Trump and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley. With the New Hampshire primary a day away, Trump holds a double digit lead in the polls but Haley still aims to appeal to independent voters who could help her pull off an upset. Haley has ramped up attacks on Trump's mental fitness and age while Trump touts endorsements, but voters seem concerned with larger issues like the economy and immigration.

Takeaways

• Florida governor Ron DeSantis dropped out and endorsed Trump, consolidating establishment GOP support behind the former president
• Trump leads Haley by over 15 points in the latest New Hampshire polls
• Haley hopes to sway the state's independent "undeclared" voters to vote in the GOP primary
• Haley has questioned Trump's mental acuity while Trump made a gaffe confusing her with Nancy Pelosi
• Many GOP voters are concerned about issues like the economy, immigration and the opioid crisis
• Haley likely needs to keep the margin to single digits to remain viable after New Hampshire
• Trump maintains strength in upcoming primaries in South Carolina and Super Tuesday states
• Some see Haley as an underdog with a difficult path to winning the nomination
• Voters on both sides express pessimism about the future direction of the country
• Local newspaper endorsed Haley as a 'fireball from the heavens' to defeat the 'dinosaurs' Biden and Trump

Q & A

Who are the two remaining Republican candidates after Ron DeSantis dropped out?

The two remaining candidates are former president Donald Trump and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley.

What is Trump's current polling lead over Haley in New Hampshire?

Trump leads Haley by over 15 points in the latest New Hampshire polls.

What voting bloc is key to a potential Haley upset victory?

Haley hopes to sway the state's independent "undeclared" voters to vote in the GOP primary to help her pull off an upset over Trump.

What new line of attack has Haley employed against Trump?

Haley has questioned Trump's mental acuity and fitness for office while highlighting his age and cognitive decline.

What issues matter most to voters in the New Hampshire GOP primary?

Many Republican voters are concerned about issues like the economy, immigration, the opioid crisis and a general pessimism about the future direction of the country.

What margin does Haley likely need to keep in New Hampshire to remain viable?

Haley likely needs to keep the margin to single digits behind Trump to remain viable after the New Hampshire primary.

Where does Trump maintain his greatest strengths looking ahead?

Trump maintains strength in upcoming primaries in South Carolina and Super Tuesday states based on polling and endorsements.

How do analysts view Haley's path forward to win the nomination?

Some analysts see Haley as an underdog with a difficult path to winning the Republican nomination at this stage.

How did a local New Hampshire newspaper characterize Biden and Trump?

A local newspaper called Biden and Trump "dinosaurs" and characterized Haley as a "fireball from the heavens" to defeat them.

What indication is there of voter optimism about the 2024 election?

There are few signs of optimism - voters on both sides express pessimism about the future direction of the country in surveys.