ROCHESTER, New Hampshire — Nikki Haley’s 2024 supporters agreed with her decision to skip a face-to-face debate with rival Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying her decision did not affect their opinion of her for the Jan. 23 Granite State primary.
ABC News and CNN were forced to cancel the scheduled presidential debate after both former President Donald Trump and Haley refused to attend, leaving DeSantis as the only candidate willing to take the stage.
Haley, 51, debated DeSantis, 45, in Iowa on Jan. 10 without Trump, but after finishing third in the first national caucus, decided she would not debate again without the former president or President Biden.
Every Haley supporter The Post spoke to in New Hampshire agreed with her strategy and thought she was doing “the right thing,” because she already had a chance to tussle with DeSantis.
“I think that’s the right decision, because she doesn’t have to stand on stage with Ron DeSantis anymore,” said Haley supporter Jim Morton, arguing that she made more of an impact by speaking directly to voters in small towns. events across the country.
Carol Collins, who said she would vote for Haley on Tuesday, agreed.
Nikki Haley held a rally at the Rochester American Legion in New Hampshire on Wednesday. Aristide Economopoulos
“I think it’s a smart choice because I think right now, New Hampshire is important … and I’m not sure the debate is going to get everyone to hear it because moving statewide is going to help it,” Collins said.
“She’s not going to get voters away from DeSantis, she’s going to get voters away from Trump,” independent Haley supporters added at her Rochester rally.
Others saw his decision to miss the debate as a way to distance himself from DeSantis, who polled in the single digits in the state.
“If he wants to be positive, I have nothing to do with it [DeSantis]. I don’t think the man is honest, and he’s a slipper,” Haley voter Jacqui Martel told The Post.
Haley and DeSantis have been on stage with each other in formal debates five times while Trump has skipped each one. Getty Images
A Haley supporter argued that not attending the debate was to her advantage, given her recent performance against the Florida governor.
“If he reconsiders, he may have to, and he should study what happened in [Iowa debate] because she doesn’t look good,” said Pat D’Amico, a liberal Democrat who will vote for Haley as a “blocking measure” for Trump in New Hampshire.
Bob Thinnes, a Haley voter in Hooksett, argued that DeSantis “wasn’t that interested in New Hampshire to begin with.”
“I think he’s more concerned with South Carolina, so I don’t think it’s going to do any good, really,” for Haley to debate him in a situation where he’s polling in second place, Thinnes added.
The DeSantis campaign has portrayed Haley’s decision to skip the debate as a way to distance herself from the public and has highlighted her skipping in the days leading up to the New Hampshire primary.
Nikki Haley campaigned at the historic Robie Country Store in Hooksett, New Hampshire, on January 18. Getty Images
Haley and DeSantis have been on stage with each other in five official debates, including CNN’s Iowa debate and four GOP debates over the 2024 cycle. Trump has missed each one.
Haley’s New Hampshire voters said they were more worried about Trump’s absence than his decision not to face DeSantis again.
“I do not agree with that move. They’ve debated five or six times now, and frankly, I think the real question that should be asked is, why won’t Trump come on stage,” said Concord resident and Haley voter Tim Sheedy.
“I’ve had enough of them arguing and I’d love to see Trump argue with someone. I agree with him, I think he’s done enough,” added Pat Campbell, who is considering voting for Haley.
“I think it’s a good idea. I mean, why does he have to argue? Trump should be debating,” said Nashua resident Paul Schibbelhute.
“I don’t see that he has much to gain, and he’s been running across the state since at least last July,” he added. “I think the only one who will benefit is DeSantis.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
