Trump's start to 2024 election historic, Haley’s New Hampshire finish a likely mirage

Donald Trump has done what no other Republican non-incumbent has accomplished in modern politics, scoring wins in the opening contests of Iowa and New Hampshire. And he scored both with more than 50% of the vote, without participating in a single debate and while facing the political machinery of two popular incumbent governors who threw their support to his competitors.

His lone remaining major competitor, Nikki Haley, tried to sound like a winner Tuesday despite trailing by about 10 to 12 points as the evening treaded on.

But even in that handy defeat, Haley’s showing was somewhat a political mirage. Exit polling showed she captured only about a quarter of registered Republicans who cast ballots.

Her strength? Independent or unaffiliated voters – some who lean Democrat – crossed over because Joe Biden chose not to appear on the New Hampshire ballot, giving his supporters a chance to try to run up Haley’s total and embarrass Trump.