I am voting for Donald Trump, but I want to see Nikki Haley stay in the primary race for a little while longer. Her candidacy provides valuable data for Republicans in general and Donald Trump in particular.

In 2020 thousands of suburban voters left Donald Trump blank but voted Republican down the line. One may complain about the race being stolen, but had these voters cast a vote for Donald Trump, any effort to sabotage Trump would not have overcome a vast turnout with these Republican non-Trump voters in Trump’s column.

So now it is 2024. Nikki Haley reaches those who skipped over Donald Trump in 2020. With her in the race, Republicans and the Trump campaign can identify them now, in the primary, months before the general campaign. More importantly something can be done to reach some of those this time around.

Nikki Haley voters in the Presidential Primary form an interesting profile. Some are solid Republicans who will vote for the eventual nominee.

Some are Democrats who are crossing over to cast a vote against Trump. They will vote for the Democrat nominee in November and will never vote for Trump or any other Republican (not even Nikki) in November.

Some see themselves as Republican leaning voters but consider themselves independent. These are the ones who voted Republican down ballot but left the Presidential race blank. At this point, they will be inclined to do the same or vote for a 3rd party candidate.

It is the last group that Republicans and Donald Trump need in November. Now the Republican party is faced with an opportunity to identify these voters this spring.

While the vast majority of campaign investments will be toward the general voter, The Republican party and the Trump campaign will do well to form a Special Operations Strategy aimed specifically at the Nikki Haley voter.

President Trump himself should be involved in this strategy. While Trump will be Trump, he could identify those counties, precincts, and voters who support Nikki Haley and listen to determine what message will peel off those independent voters.

Campaign materials targeting those voters can be used to persuade them that Trump is the candidate whose policies match their politics. After four years of Biden that will be an easier sell than it was in 2020.

So, Nikki, stay in the race a little longer. Then, after New Hampshire and South Carolina, suspend your campaign and ask your supporters to get behind Donald Trump.

Be a part of a Republican Special Operations Team to identify those voters who voted for you but will need to be reached to vote for Trump. Don’t do it just for Donald Trump, do it for America.

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