Peterborough/Manchester/Nashua, New Hampshire – Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and wealthy congressman Dean Phillips have both criticized President Joe Biden and rival Donald Trump, questioning their age and ability to lead. As the primary in New Hampshire approaches, both Haley and Phillips took the opportunity to voice their concerns regarding their opponents’ fitness for office.
Haley, speaking to reporters in Peterborough following an event, highlighted Trump’s relationships with dictators such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. Her campaign also released a TV ad featuring the mother of Otto Warmbier, who died in 2017 after being held in North Korea, accusing Trump of displaying inappropriate affection for Kim.
On the other hand, Phillips, Biden’s challenger, criticized the president’s weakness and questioned his viability for re-election during an address to senior citizens in Nashua. Noting Biden’s advanced age of 81, Phillips suggested that his stage of life was incompatible with leading the free world. He also made a similar remark about Trump’s age, emphasizing that both candidates were too old to effectively lead.
The New Hampshire primary, known for attracting more centrist voters, will provide a clear indication of Biden’s political strength and could influence public perception of his electability. Poor results against Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson would likely fuel concerns about Biden’s weaknesses as a candidate. Williamson expressed similar doubts about Biden’s ability to defeat Trump in a potential rematch, emphasizing that past victories don’t guarantee future success.
It remains to be seen how both Haley’s and Phillips’ criticisms will impact the primary outcome and the broader race for the nomination. Haley, aiming to position herself as a viable alternative to Trump, needs a strong showing to solidify her presence in the contest. Conversely, a victory for Biden in New Hampshire would reaffirm his standing as a frontrunner, countering the doubts raised by his challengers.
As the primary approaches, both Trump and DeSantis, another Republican challenger, returned to New Hampshire for campaign rallies. Biden, however, is skipping the primary as the state refused his demand to give up its first-in-the-nation primary spot to South Carolina.
The New Hampshire primary, with its more moderate brand of Republicanism, will serve as a critical test for the candidates’ viability and provide valuable momentum as the race for the nomination intensifies.
