Michiganders are voting in the state's 2024 presidential primary, with President Biden, Rep. Dean Phillips, and Marianne Williamson on the Democratic ballot, and Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, and others on the Republican ballot. Voters also have the option to select "uncommitted." Local jurisdictions are holding special elections alongside the presidential primary, with proposals on property taxes and bond issues.
A CBS News poll reveals that in the 2024 Republican primary in South Carolina, Donald Trump holds a significant lead over Nikki Haley, despite her past tenure as the state's governor. Trump's strong support among "MAGA" voters and his perceived advantages in areas such as leadership, preparedness, and policy approaches contribute to his lead. Additionally, Trump outperforms Haley in retrospective approval ratings and is seen as more likely to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and limit overseas military involvement. The survey also indicates that Trump has a strong backing from evangelical voters and is perceived as part of the Republican establishment, with both candidates being seen as such by a majority of voters.
President Joe Biden is seeking support from Black voters in South Carolina, who were crucial to his 2020 victory, as he faces challenges in his reelection bid. The state's primary will be the first test of Black voters' support for Biden since the last election. Biden and his allies have been campaigning in the state, emphasizing the importance of early voting and encouraging voter turnout. While some Black voters express continued support for Biden, others are critical of his administration's impact on the economy and are undecided about their voting plans. The primary is seen as an opportunity for South Carolina to draw attention to local issues and for Democrats to demonstrate their commitment to engaging with communities of color.
Joe Biden's absence from the 2024 New Hampshire primary ballot reflects a complex history with the state, where he struggled in the 2020 primary and now faces a write-in campaign against younger Democratic challengers. His decision not to file in the state's early voting contest has raised questions about his age and political standing, while also highlighting tensions between the state and the Democratic National Committee. Despite the primary's symbolic significance, Biden's rejection of the New Hampshire primary does not impact his ability to be the Democratic presidential nominee in the general election, but it underscores the challenges he faces in maintaining party unity and securing a second term.
The 2024 New Hampshire primary has deviated from its traditional retail-politics format, with top candidates like Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, and Ron DeSantis opting for fewer in-person events and debates. The lack of frenetic campaign activity has left voters feeling disconnected from the usual up-close-and-personal interactions with presidential hopefuls, signaling a departure from the state's time-honored traditions. The Democratic primary is also less relevant, with the DNC not counting it toward convention delegates, and long-shot challengers making multiple stops a day while their opponent, Joe Biden, is not competing.
In a GOP debate just days before the Iowa caucuses, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley clashed while largely avoiding criticism of Donald Trump, who boycotted the event. DeSantis attacked Haley's record and accused her of being a "mealy-mouthed politician," while Haley criticized DeSantis's campaign spending. Haley dodged questions about Trump's character and chided GOP men for their abortion rhetoric. Both candidates agreed on deporting all illegal immigrants.
In a video segment, CNN's John King revisits GOP women voters in Iowa and discovers that some have changed their candidate preferences since his last visit five months ago. While Trump enjoys deep support and loyalty among his voters, there are weak spots, particularly with Republican women who are tired of his constant antics and toxic tone.
Four Republican presidential candidates will participate in the fourth debate of the 2024 primary, while former President Donald Trump continues to skip the debates. With a smaller stage, the focus is expected to be on policy topics such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and healthcare. There may be a battle for second place between Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, with speculation on whether they will target each other or Trump. Chris Christie narrowly qualifies for the debate and is banking on a strong showing in New Hampshire. Vivek Ramaswamy's disruptive style may continue, but he has yet to gain significant voter support.
Former President Donald Trump and his political team have been quietly working behind the scenes to twist primary and delegate rules in their favor for the 2024 Republican nomination. Trump has been making personal calls and building alliances with key party officials, aiming to secure the nomination even if his chief rival, Governor Ron DeSantis, scores a surprise victory in an early state. The Trump campaign has strategically manipulated rules in states like Nevada and California to disadvantage DeSantis and his supporters, leading to accusations of rigging the system. Trump's backroom campaign reveals his establishment status within the Republican Party, as he leverages relationships and personal connections to secure delegate support.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy is declining to officially endorse Donald Trump's third White House bid in order to avoid a potential civil war within the House GOP over the 2024 primary. While many of McCarthy's members have already backed Trump, other Republicans, including swing-seat lawmakers and allies of Trump's rivals, are steering clear of the polarizing former president. McCarthy is providing political cover to his vulnerable members by not fully embracing Trump, but the pressure to choose sides will continue to grow as Trump secures more support across the House GOP. McCarthy's decision is influenced by concerns that a Trump endorsement could harm the party's chances of keeping the House in the 2024 elections.
The Koch family, known for their conservative donations, is reportedly working to prevent Donald Trump from winning the 2024 Republican primary. Americans for Prosperity Action, a network of political organizations created by the Kochs, has raised over $70 million to fund races that aim to move the Republican party away from Trump. The group's goal is to have a new president in 2025 who represents a new chapter. Despite recent Supreme Court rulings against affirmative action and LGBT+ rights, President Biden believes expanding the Supreme Court would be a mistake. The court also ruled in favor of a wedding website designer who can refuse service to LGBT+ customers based on religious beliefs. Trump allegedly wanted his lawyers to retrieve classified documents and boxes seized from Mar-a-Lago, even as his lawyers prepared for a federal indictment. President Biden expressed reluctance to think about whether Trump would have tipped off Putin about a coup attempt. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential Republican presidential candidate, is accused of breaking the law by using a helicopter owned by the Texas Department of Public Safety during a border trip. Former Vice President Mike Pence visited Ukrainian President Zelensky in a show of support, despite waning Republican support for Ukraine. Trump celebrated the Supreme Court's rejection of affirmative action programs, calling it a great day for America. DeSantis saw a significant boost in earnings from a book advance, increasing his net worth.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is positioning himself as a Trump-like candidate in the 2024 GOP primary by adopting similar immigration policies, including eliminating birthright citizenship and ending "catch-and-release" policies. DeSantis argues that he is more effective than Trump at implementing a conservative agenda, citing his experience legislating to the right in Florida. However, critics argue that DeSantis is not differentiating himself enough from Trump and that his attempts to establish himself as the true conservative are not resonating with primary voters.