SC’s Nikki Haley betting big on her home state in primary fight vs. Trump. Will it work?

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley emphasized her ability to compete with President Joe Biden in a general election as she hit hard at both the incumbent Democrat and former Republican President Donald Trump during a rally in Lancaster County.

Speaking at Indian Land High School Friday night as part of a campaign swing through the Palmetto State ahead of its primary on Feb. 24, Haley said she’s the only Republican left standing with a chance to win in the general election.

“We can go with the same old thing or we can move forward. The same old thing is not just Joe Biden, the same old thing is Donald Trump,” she said. “... Are we really going to have a country in disarray while the world is on fire and choose from two 80-year-olds? Because we need somebody who can work eight years, focused, disciplined to get us back on track.”

Haley pointed to general election polls that show her faring better against Biden than Trump in November, but with her still trailing Trump by double-digits in her home state, it remains to be seen whether her campaign has the endurance to get there.

‘Make America normal again’

Much of Haley’s pitch to voters Friday focused on her achievements as governor of South Carolina and reminding the crowd of her biography.

She highlighted economic development deals closed in the state during her term-and-a-half in office in the 2010s and noted that much of her interest in improving health care for veterans stems from her experiences with her husband, Michael, who served in Afghanistan.

“We did a lot together … We rallied, and it wasn’t easy. But by the time we left, boy did we do some amazing things,” she said.

She also made comments about both Trump and Bidens’ ages. Haley is 52, while Trump is 77 and Biden is 81.

“These are people making decisions on our national security. These are people making decisions on the future of our economy. We need to know they’re at the top of their game. That’s hugely important,” she said.

Haley, who left South Carolina during her second term as governor to serve as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, acknowledged that she voted twice for the former president. But, she said, a new “generational conservative voice” is needed because “chaos follows him.”

The country “won’t survive” another four years with Trump as president, according to Haley.

“Let’s make America normal again,” she concluded.

Does Haley have a chance in SC and beyond?

Haley repeatedly pointed to polls that show her running better against Biden in a general election than Trump.

A CNN poll released Thursday showed 49% of registered voters backing Trump and 45% supporting Biden, with 5% saying they’d vote for someone else. The same poll showed Haley leading Biden in a head-to-head match-up 52% to 39%.

But polling data still shows Haley has an uphill battle to get there by defeating Trump for the Republican nomination.

Haley trails Trump in South Carolina in Republican primary polls by a margin of 32.1% to 62.7%, according to FiveThirtyEight’s polling averages. In national primary polls, Trump’s lead is even bigger: 72.2% to Haley’s 17.3%, per FiveThirtyEight.

On Friday, Haley told the crowd she’s still got time to turn the tide.

“We don’t do coronations in this country,” she said. “Only two states have voted. We’ve got 48 states and territories that still have to go … As much as he can’t stand it, Donald, I’m not going anywhere.”

Haley also downplayed the volume of Trump’s endorsements from Republican leaders, including from fellow South Carolina politicians such as Gov. Henry McMaster and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott.

“He’s surrounded himself by the congressional elite, the political establishment … The same ones who’ve done nothing for us,” she said. “... I don’t want their support.”

The former governor acknowledged that a strong showing in her home state is key to getting momentum, encouraging folks to take advantage of early voting.

“Don’t wait until Feb. 24, because I don’t know what’s going to come up in your life, and I need you,” she said.

‘A good alternative’

Outside the event, voters Todd and Diana McDermott said they like Haley because of her mix of domestic and foreign policy experience.

“I think it’s time for a change, and frankly I think Trump brings way too much drama,” Diana McDermott said.

Still, they said they know Haley has a long way to go to get the Republican nomination.

“I wish they were better,” Todd McDermott said of her chances. “But I know she’s gonna fight, fight until the end.”

Ann Gerber, a self-described Democrat who was attending Friday’s rally with her Republican husband, said despite her party affiliation, she’s considering taking advantage of South Carolina’s open primary to vote for Haley.

“I think she’s a good alternative. I wish there were other options,” she said. “There aren’t as far as I’m concerned. Joe Biden’s a nice guy, but he’s 81.”

Gerber added that she was hoping to learn more about Haley’s views on immigration and the national debt.

Grant Sellers said that as a younger voter, hearing Haley’s message left him “fired up.”

“I think people are tired of the same old same old … She’s a lot younger than Trump or Biden, and I think her mental fitness is a lot better,” he said, but declined to give his own age.

He predicted a close race in the Palmetto State primary.

“I hope enough people can realize that she is the future, that Trump and Biden are both part of the past. And so I hope they wake up,” he said. “I’m definitely going to do my fair share and get out there and vote on the 24th, to make my young voice heard.”