Nikki Haley has some momentum. Her challenge is still immense.
After blessing the lunch of fried chicken and black-eyed peas with a prayer and ordering a sweet tea, Sharon Carter places her palms on the red-and-white checkered tablecloth at Rusty and Paula’s, the main eatery in Bamberg, South Carolina, and explains why she’s in such a good mood.
Her preferred candidate in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, Bamberg native and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, is having a moment. With a little over one month to go before the first nominating contest in Iowa, the polling, fundraising, and energy are all on the upswing for Ms. Haley – boosting her argument that she is the one best positioned to challenge former President Donald Trump for the GOP nomination.
Last week, the political network founded by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch , bringing money for TV ads and a ground operation of door-knockers and phone callers. Polls now have her in a clear – albeit distant – second place behind after the event reached capacity. And in a telltale sign of a candidate’s momentum, her opponents came out of the gate attacking her at the final Republican debate last night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
