A recent poll uncovers that almost half of the supporters of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in Iowa would prefer to vote for President Joe Biden rather than former President Donald Trump if the latter were the GOP nominee.
What Happened: An NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll displayed that 43% of Haley supporters in Iowa are willing to cross party lines and vote for Biden over Trump, as reported by The Hill on Thursday. Furthermore, 23% conveyed they would vote for Trump, and 8% stated they would back independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The poll, conducted from Jan. 7-12, also indicated that 71% of probable GOP caucusgoers would vote for Trump in 2024, while only 11% would vote for Biden. “Haley is consolidating the anti-Trump vote,” J. Ann Selzer, a pollster who has conducted the Iowa survey for the past three decades, commented.
The poll also examined the views of likely GOP caucusgoers regarding Trump’s legal challenges. 74% believe that Trump could win a general election despite his legal troubles, whereas 23% thought his chances against Biden would be nearly impossible. Among Haley’s supporters, 54% doubted Trump’s chances, while 42% believed he could win.
Why It Matters: With the changing dynamics within the GOP, the upcoming Iowa caucuses will be a critical litmus test for Haley’s political future.
In this context, the recent poll revealing a significant jump for Haley to second place in the GOP field in Iowa, as reported by a Benzinga article becomes crucial. According to Selzer, in the event of a low turnout, a “disproportionate share of her supporters might stay at home.”
Haley’s position looks challenging, given her decline in support in New Hampshire and rising opposition to Trump among her supporters. A Benzinga article showed a 14-point difference between Trump and Haley in New Hampshire.
Trump’s cryptic comments about his potential running mate in 2024, as mentioned in another Benzinga article, have sparked further speculation.
Photos via Shutterstock.
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