Voters in South Carolina are getting ready to weigh in on Saturday’s Republican presidential primary: a matchup between former President Donald Trump and former Gov. Nikki Haley.
With Haley significantly trailing Trump in the polls, ABC News asked her supporters over the past three weeks why they’re still pulling for her despite her being so far behind.
After his wins in previous primaries, Trump is expected to beat Haley handily in her home state of South Carolina with 538’s polling average showing Haley trails Trump by 30 points.
But Haley says she isn’t deterred. Earlier this week, she vowed to stay in the race for South Carolina and beyond, saying she feels “no need to kiss the ring.”
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Voter Ed Kosinski said it will be challenging for Haley, despite being the state’s two-term governor, to win in the state.
“I think it’s going to be tough. Yeah, it’s tough to dethrone the king. And that’s what [Trump] wants to be,” said Kosinski — who moved to Kiawah, South Carolina, a year ago from Connecticut.
Donald Trump and Nikki Haley
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“I think she can do it and I think we can’t give up that right. She’s got to do it. The prospect of four years of Trump or Biden is really scary.”
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Kosinski said Haley is what America needs right now.
“America really needs a thoughtful, strong leader. And we’ve reached this critical time, I think, for the United States. We’ve got to have someone that we have confidence in. That’s going to lead us where we need to go. Nikki’s got that.”
Haley has sharply ramped up her criticism of Trump, recently calling the former president “unhinged” and “more diminished.” On Tuesday, she said politicians know Trump is a “disaster.”
She has also turned up the heat on her campaign ads — attacking Trump for his past comments mocking military veterans. More recently, the two have sparred over Trump’s mocking jabs at Haley’s husband, who is serving a one-year deployment in Africa with the South Carolina National Guard.
Trump implied during a campaign event in South Carolina, earlier this month that Haley’s husband is in Africa to get away. Haley said his comments “cut deep” for military families who sacrifice for the United States.
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Several voters who spoke with ABC News said they supported Haley and hope she stays in the race to prevail over Trump — and eventually Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Republican Presidential hopeful and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign event, Feb. 21, 2024, in North Augusta, S.C.
Julia Nikhinson/AFP via Getty Images
“Whenever elections come around, people always say that they have to choose between two different [candidates] and which one is the less evil. But in this election, I don’t really think … there is an evil when you look at Nikki Haley versus the other two evils,” said 21-year-old independent Lilli Taylor.
Several people who voted for Trump in 2020, are considering changing their votes this time around, hoping Haley can win.
Rebecca Jones said she has soured on Trump and is “very impressed” with Haley.
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Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley greets supporters during a campaign visit at Clemson University, Feb. 20, 2024, in Clemson, S.C.
Alyssa Pointer/Reuters
“I did like the way he did things in the beginning, but I think what happened is I think he kind of turned, and now it’s all about him. It’s not about us. It’s all about him. If we don’t think the way he does, it’s not good, and I don’t like that,” Jones said.
Pat Sanders, a Republican who voted for Trump in the last election, said he thinks Haley can win in the South Carolina primary. He said Trump’s behavior, attitude and comments led him to consider Haley, who he said had “wonderful ideas” as the state’s governor.
“I like what Nikki has to say,” Sanders said. “… I was on the cusp.”
Haley, who has attacked both Trump and Biden over their age, brings some much-needed youth to the race, Kosinski said.
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“I’m in my 70s and I can tell you, I’m too old to be president. And I’m younger than both [Biden and Trump]. So, it’s time for them to move aside. Let’s get some youth in line,” he said. “I love the idea that we have a woman as a candidate for president, a thoughtful, strong woman. I think it’s great for America.”
ABC News’ Sarah Beth Hensley contributed to this report.
The Clemson Tigers are getting ready for what will be a crucial game in Week 14 against the South Carolina Gamecocks.
This rivalry matchup is not going to disappoint, as both teams are coming into the game as Top-25 schools. For the Tigers, there is a lot on the line in this matchup.
Due to Clemson not holding the tie-breaker against the Miami Hurricanes in the ACC and the SMU Mustangs already clinching a spot, the Tigers are going to have to hope for a Hurricanes’ loss to the Syracuse Orange if they are going to make the title game.
However, due to recent upsets in the SEC, another path might have emerged for Clemson to make the College Football Playoffs. If they can beat a Top-25 team in the Gamecocks on Saturday, it could be the type of statement win that propels them into an at-large bid.
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While making the CFP still might be realistic, they first and foremost have to handle South Carolina, which will be no easy task.
The Gamecocks have also had a great season, and they could present some matchup problems for Clemson.
On offense, South Carolina is a run first team. Stopping the run has been an issue at times for the Tigers, as they just recently got torched on the ground against The Citadel Bulldogs. If Clemson is unable to stop or at least slow down the rushing attack for the Gamecocks, it will allow them to control the pace of the game. That obviously wouldn’t be ideal for the Tigers.
Furthermore, on the defensive side of things, the Tigers’ offense is going to have their work cut out for them against a very strong Gamecocks defense. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has had a very strong season and this could end up being a defining game of his college career.
Going back to the win against the Pittsburgh Panthers, the Tigers’ offense really struggled on the ground trying to run the football. If that’s the case once again in Week 14, it will fall on the shoulders of Klubnik to get the job done.
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This matchup could very well go down as one of the games of the week and potentially the year, with both teams being fairly even talent-wise on paper. For Clemson, this is a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive, as a win this late in the season against a Top-25 team would be a nice last thing to put on their resume.
Overall, the Tigers are going to need to have a balanced attack and prepare to stop the run if they are going to come away with the win against their rival.
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The entire police department of a small South Carolina town resigned en masse, leaving the area without its own dedicated police force.
Chief Bob Hale of the McColl Police Department announced his resignation on November 21 in a social media post, citing a “hostile work environment perpetuated by a specific Councilman.”
“For months, I have endured unwarranted and malicious behavior aimed at undermining my integrity and leadership,” Hale wrote. “These actions have not only affected me personally but have also created a toxic atmosphere that has hindered the department’s ability to function effectively.”
The chief also said his department’s resources had been severely cut. The four officers under his command quickly resigned as well.
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“At the end of the day, I have a family. And when my job is constantly getting threatened and certain things are getting said I’m not going to stay somewhere and tolerate that,” former McColl investigator Courtney Bulusan told WRAL.
“I’m not going to stay where I’m tolerated,” Bulusan said. “I’m going to go where I’m celebrated.”
As the town seeks new officers, the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office will fill in for the department police force, according to South Carolina Public Radio.
The town has gone through six chiefs in the past four years. Hale’s tenure in the position lasted little over a year.
“I feel unsafe. Very unsafe,” resident Lisa Bowen told local outlet WPDE. “Because anytime anybody could do anything.”
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“They jump ship back and forth all the time,” Mayor George Garner told the Post and Courier newspaper. “This is nothing new.”
The paper reported that the councilman in question denied he had harassed any of the officers and told the paper the allegations were “hearsay.”
Such mass resignations, while uncommon, are not unprecedented.
The entire police force of Geary, Oklahoma, resigned earlier this month, Fox News reports.
UCLA’s win over No. 1 ranked South Carolina wasn’t a fluke, and Bruins center Lauren Betts says if you haven’t been paying attention, now would be the time to.
Let’s say the thing. It was not close on Sunday. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, UCLA commanded the floor and had an answer for everything the Gamecocks tried to do. The Bruins beat South Carolina on the boards (41-34), held four starters to under five points, and *checks notes* not a single starter went to the free-throw line. UGLY STUFF.
Furthermore, five UCLA players scored in double figures, including Londynn Jones, who was sensational from the line with five 3-pointers, and star center Lauren Betts, who had 11 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocks. WHEW. Postgame, Betts raved about her team and how proud she was, but she also sent a direct warning to college basketball. “If you’ve been sleeping on UCLA,” Betts said. “You need to stop right now.”
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