After Nikki Haley's concession speech on Wednesday, NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie noticed that Haley attempted to steer the narrative in a less flattering direction for Donald Trump.
Haley gave a speech in Charleston, South Carolina, addressing her supporters. She stated that Trump must decide if he wants to win her support along with the up to 30-40% of primary voters who backed her campaign. In the meantime, she won't be endorsing him. In response to Haley's defiance, Guthrie observed that so far the Trump campaign's message has been “if you're not with me, then you're against me.” (RELATED: Biden Suffers First Primary Loss – To A Candidate No One Expected)
Many of Haley's supporters have expressed frustration with Trump's scandals and inability to stop lying about the 2020 election. While some of Haley's voters were Democrats, a significant minority of GOP voters are disillusioned with Trump's personal drama. (RELATED: Truth Social Co-Founders Sue Donald Trump)
It is commonly believed that in our hyper-partisan era, a major party candidate must win at least 90% of their registered members or face defeat.
Despite concerns raised by exit polls for the general election, Trump won every state except Vermont in the fight for the GOP nomination. (RELATED: Polls Reveal Ominous Signs For Both Likely Nominees)
Haley nevertheless suspended her campaign with “no regrets.”
Per NBC News:
“I am filled with the gratitude for the outpouring of support we've received from all across our great country, but the time has now come to suspend my campaign,” Haley said in a speech Wednesday morning. “I said I wanted Americans to have their voices heard — I have done that. I have no regrets. And although I will no longer be a candidate, I will not stop using my voice for the things I believe in.”
…
“It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him, and I hope he does that,” she said. “At its best, politics is about bringing people into your cause, not turning them away. And our conservative cause badly needs more people. This is now his time for choosing.”
Haley said that being a private citizen is “privilege enough in itself” and that she looks forward to “enjoying in all likelihood” that Trump will be the Republican presidential nominee.
“I congratulate him and wish him well. I wish anyone well who would be America's president,” she said. “Our country is too precious to let our differences divide us.”
Breaking down last night's results by state, Trump won 72% of the primary vote in Maine, 60% in Massachusetts, 63% in Virginia, 74% in North Carolina, 77% in Tennessee, 83% in Alabama, 77% in Arkansas, 69% in Minnesota, 82% in Oklahoma, 78% in Texas, 63% in Colorado, 57% in Utah, 79% in California and 88% in Alaska.
Haley only won Vermont with 50% of the vote.
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