Presidential hopefuls spend little in South Carolina’s calm primary season
South Carolina’s First-in-the-South Primary: Lackluster Campaigning and a Battle for Survival
South Carolina’s first-in-the-South primary should be a hotbed of high-energy campaigning, but it seems to be lacking the excitement and enthusiasm that typically accompanies one of the early nominating states in a presidential primary. Only one of the three major candidates is seriously campaigning in the state, leaving President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump absent from the scene.
While Biden has made only two appearances in South Carolina this year, Trump has chosen to focus on campaigning in Nevada and dealing with legal issues. However, the situation could change in the coming weeks.
On the other hand, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is making her presence known in her home state. She is hosting rallies and spending millions of dollars, making her the candidate who has invested the most in the 2024 presidential race.
A Battle for Survival
South Carolina was supposed to be the state that would save Haley’s struggling campaign against Trump and help Biden reconnect with black voters, just as he did in the 2020 election. However, Trump’s dominance in the Iowa and New Hampshire contests has dampened the energy of what could have been a highly competitive primary. It now seems inevitable that the primary will result in a rematch between Trump and Biden.
Even political commentators are not surprised by Trump’s decision to skip South Carolina after New Hampshire. According to Mikel Norris, a political science professor, Trump doesn’t need to campaign in a state he knows he will win. Instead, it is Haley who needs to put in the effort to win over voters in South Carolina.
The lackluster campaigning by both Trump and Biden is evident when comparing their advertising figures to Haley’s. She and her affiliated groups have spent millions of dollars on TV, cable, radio, and other forms of advertising in South Carolina. In contrast, Biden and his affiliated super PAC have spent significantly less.
Trump’s campaign has chosen not to disclose how much money it is spending in South Carolina, but a spokesperson took the opportunity to taunt Haley, claiming that she is being crushed in her home state.
Despite the uphill battle she faces, Haley has made it clear that she will not bow to pressure to exit the race. She has held multiple rallies in South Carolina and shows no signs of slowing down.
The Importance of South Carolina for Biden
For Biden, South Carolina remains a crucial state given its first-place status in the DNC schedule. It serves as a test of African American support, which is vital for his reelection campaign. However, reports of a lack of enthusiasm among black voters, particularly among the youth and men, pose a threat to Biden’s campaign.
To counter this, high-profile surrogates such as Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Gavin Newsom have campaigned in South Carolina on behalf of Biden. The Democratic National Committee has also launched ad campaigns targeting minority, rural, and young voters in the state.
Despite the challenges, the South Carolina Democratic Party stands by Biden, emphasizing his commitment to the state and its voters.
As the primary date approaches, all eyes are on South Carolina to see how the candidates navigate the challenges and make their mark in this crucial state.
Why is the lack of enthusiasm in South Carolina for Joe Biden a concern for his campaign?
Second time. After all, he won the state by a significant margin in both 2016 and 2020. His absence in the state may suggest a certain level of confidence in his support base and a strategic focus on other key battleground states.
For Biden, the lack of enthusiasm in South Carolina may be of concern. Historically, the state has played a vital role in securing the Democratic nomination, particularly due to its sizable African American population. In 2020, Biden’s strong showing in the state propelled him to the nomination. However, with only two appearances this year, it seems that Biden may be taking the state for granted, assuming that he has secured the loyalty of black voters.
Meanwhile, Nikki Haley’s aggressive campaigning in her home state reflects her determination to establish herself as a frontrunner for the Republican nomination in 2024. She has been actively courting voters, attending community events, and highlighting her South Carolina roots.
The lackluster campaigning from Biden and Trump has opened a window of opportunity for Haley. She hopes to capture the attention of South Carolina voters who may be disillusioned with the two major candidates. Haley’s investment of millions of dollars into her campaign shows her commitment to winning the state and solidifying her place as a national figure within the Republican Party.
As the primary date approaches, the battle for survival intensifies. The outcome in South Carolina could have far-reaching implications for the remaining primaries and the overall trajectory of the election. Will Haley’s efforts pay off, allowing her to upset the expected rematch between Trump and Biden? Or will the two major candidates manage to coast through the primary without much direct competition?
Only time will tell. In the meantime, the lackluster campaigning and the battle for survival in South Carolina’s first-in-the-South primary highlight the complexities and uncertainties of the presidential race. The state’s unique demographics and historical significance make it a crucial battleground where candidates cannot afford to overlook or underestimate its importance.
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