Ron DeSantis' withdrawal from the Republican presidential race will lead two very satisfied candidates to the polls in New Hampshire today.
Trump admitted that he feels "greatly honored" to receive support from De Santis, who said after his impeachment that "it is clear that the majority of the Republican Party wants to give Trump another chance."
"Vivek (Ramaswamy) came to us, and then Ron came to us. Everyone wants to join us," Trump said during an election conference in Rochester.
In a rare move, he complimented De Santis on a "very good campaign" and even mentioned him by his full name instead of calling him by the mocking nickname he had given him, Ron DeSanctimonious.
Ron DeSantis' retirement announcement from the Republican race
And Trump's opponent, Nikki Haley, also achieved her main campaign goal: direct competition against the former president.
"Do you hear that voice? It's the voice that says it's a head-to-head race!" she said to the cheers of her supporters at an election event in the city of Extner.
The former US ambassador to the United Nations received public support from "Judge Judy", the star of the famous American reality show starring Judy Sheinklin, a well-known judge and mediator throughout the US.
More may surprise in the "swinging" country.
Nikki Haley, photo: AFP
Although most polls predict a victory for Trump in New Hampshire, they were conducted before de Santis retired, and Haley may still surprise in the "swinging" state where there is a large crowd of independent voters, who consider themselves to be opposed to Trump, and are characterized by a high level of education and moderate views.
If Haley succeeds in rallying their support, she may approach Trump's approval rating.
If you are defeated, the momentum you have gained will be significantly damaged, which may translate into damage to donations and the quick coronation of Trump (see Prof. Ben-Zvi's commentary).
"We need to introduce a new and young generation into the system," Danielle Brown, an independent voter who previously supported Obama, told CNN.
"Hailey is energetic, she can do a lot for our country."
"This is no longer the Republican Party I know and grew up with - but the MAGA Party," said voter Tim Homan to "The Wall Street Journal", referring to the crowd of devout Trump supporters who are united under the slogan Make America Great Again.
Homan has said he will vote for Haley in the primary, but is expected to vote for Biden in the general election, and it is up to him which Republican will run against him.
The polls show Trump, photo: AP
At Trump's election conference, which took place in Manchester, the place was too small to accommodate everyone who asked to enter.
Many ticket holders waited outside the event location in the freezing cold and were finally denied entry.
"We came to hear him talk about what he's going to do in the next four years, and how he's going to make America great again," New Hampshire resident Matt Purcell told CBS.
In the meantime, the series of events that preceded De Santis' retirement begins to become clear.
CNN reported that many of the Florida governor's supporters have urged him to step down, because he cannot compete with Trump's committed supporters.
On top of that, De Santis realized from many donors that they had no intention of continuing to contribute to his campaign.
Other Republicans have advised him to publicly support Trump so that he has a chance to win the Republican presidential nomination in 2028.
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