When President-elect Donald Trump named South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley ambassador to the UN, he praised his former critic as “a proven dealmaker.” In a statement, Trump said, “Governor Haley has a proven track record of bringing people together regardless of background or party affiliation to move critical policies forward for the betterment of her state and our country.” Trump continued, “She is also a proven dealmaker, and we look to be making plenty of deals. She will be a great leader representing us on the world stage.”
Fast forward to this weekend’s South Carolina GOP primary results, and it’s clear Haley’s voters are dug in against Trump to the point where they may simply not show up in November. That is not a risk Trump can afford to take. As I noted, after the New Hampshire primary, it will be much easier for Trump supporters to hold their noses and bring Haley into the fold than to cast her into exile. But it’s also worth noting how much has changed in South Carolina since Haley was appointed ambassador to the UN back in 2016.
South Carolina, no thanks to Covid and the disastrous Democrat policies in New York, New Jersey, and much of New England, has become a Red State safe haven and one of my favored Super States. And based on a Wall Street Journal analysis, they’re not bringing their blue state politics with them. They’re leaving the Escape States and going to where their brand of family first, pro-freedom, pro-business beliefs are well respected. Trump and Haley supporters should be able to unite on this subject alone.
The Main Street voter is sick of being looked at as a piggy bank to be looted, especially on the federal level. The path forward for the GOP needs to harness the ground swell of Americans voting with their feet to freer pastures in Red States.
Action Line: The GOP can simply come together on a states’ rights, America First platform, and win. Click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter and be among the first to receive my 2024 Super States.
