Contributor Karl Rove discusses the key issues for voters heading into the New Hampshire primary on ‘America Reports.’ All eyes will be on New Hampshire’s undeclared, or independent, voters next week for the first-in-the-nation presidential primaries following reports of cross-party voting by Democrats in support of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley during Monday’s Iowa caucuses.
Despite former President Donald Trump’s overwhelming victory in Iowa, reports suggest that Democrats and independents made attempts to interfere with the Republican primary. Some individuals switched their party registration for a day to diminish Trump’s inevitability and cast a vote against him. At one caucus site, caucus workers even faced a shortage of party registration forms due to the influx of Democrats and independents attempting to switch their party registration to Republican.
However, these efforts were not enough to boost Haley ahead of her main challenger, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who secured second place. Looking ahead to the New Hampshire primary, around 3,500 Democrats switched their party registration to become undeclared voters, or independents, in an effort led by former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Undeclared voters in New Hampshire play a crucial role in determining the non-incumbent party’s nominee for president.
While some argue that anti-Trump independents may vote for Haley, it ultimately depends on their perception of Trump’s inevitability. If they believe Trump has a clear advantage, there may be less interest in showing up to vote. Additionally, Democratic leaners may feel uncomfortable participating in a Republican primary and would need a compelling reason to do so.
The Haley campaign emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and bringing in voters who are frustrated with President Joe Biden. They argue that Republicans must focus on addition rather than subtraction to regain electoral success.
On the other hand, a senior Trump campaign official dismisses Haley as a desperate globalist who wants policies that go against the Republican agenda. A recent poll indicates that Trump remains the clear frontrunner in New Hampshire, with Haley trailing behind.
The upcoming New Hampshire primaries will provide further insights into the preferences and motivations of independent voters. As the race intensifies, candidates like DeSantis are expected to campaign in states like South Carolina, which is Haley’s home state.
Overall, the cross-party voting in the Iowa caucuses has raised questions about the potential influence of Democrats and independents on the Republican primary. As the focus shifts to New Hampshire, the role of undeclared voters and their impact on the nomination process will be closely watched.
