12/27 NEWSBREAK: Haley continues pushing forward toward 2024 battle

Former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley may trail behind former President Donald Trump in 2024 presidential polls, but she is not deviating from a cautious approach — and she is still betting on South Carolina to push her campaign toward victory.

But South Carolina, her home state, still leans toward Trump, who got 48% of support of GOP voters and GOP-leaning independents in a November Winthrop Poll. Haley came in second with 19%. The former president has the endorsement of almost every major state Republican, including U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Haley’s campaign, however, points toward her previous popularity and success in the Palmetto State as a sign that she will perform well in the coming primaries. As a part of her “play it safe” strategy, Haley rarely takes questions from reporters on the campaign trail, according to a New York Times article. She rarely deviates from her stump speech or generates headlines, and she walks a fine line on issues involving Trump, the story said.

“Anti-Trumpers don’t think I hate him enough,” she reportedly said this month in New Hampshire, according to the Times’ story. That’s she picked up the endorsement of Chris Sununu, the state’s popular Republican governor. “Pro-Trumpers don’t think I love him enough.”

The strategy appears to be paying off, as her campaign is seen as stable, while other Republican candidates seem to be faltering. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ support has dipped as turmoil has overtaken his allied super PAC.

But dozens of criminal charges faced by Trump could be the nail in his campaign’s coffin — and a path to victory for Haley. A recent New York Times poll found nearly a quarter of Trump’s supporters said he should not be the Republican nominee if he were found guilty of a crime.

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