South Carolina: another win for Trump
Former US president Donald Trump is one step closer to the Republican presidential candidacy after clinching another US primary. He won with a 20-percentage-point lead against his rival Nikki Haley in her home state of South Carolina. Commentators discuss why Haley isn't withdrawing from the race and why Trump has such a clear lead.
A well oiled machine
Columnist Gallagher Fenwick analyses the Trump phenomenon on France Inter:
“One of his greatest successes today is his ability to increase his voter base. Many of the more educated Republicans have gone from sceptics to supporters, having been convinced ultimately by Trump's speech about being the victim of judicial persecution. ... The other key aspect of Trump's current campaign is just how professional it is. The amateurish but successful machine of 2016 that faltered in 2020 is now extremely well oiled. Every obstacle, whether judicious, financial or other, is rapidly digested and spat out as a political argument.”
Haley wholey unlikely
The Spectator can't understand why Trump's only remaining competitor has not thrown in the towel:
“The only feasible path to the nomination for Haley now is Trump to drop dead or drop out because of his manifold criminal trials, in which case she could present her small number of delegates - she currently has 17 to Trump's 107 - to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July as evidence of her claim to the nomination. But that's almost certainly not going to happen. Even if Trump did suddenly vanish from the race, it would be almost impossible for Haley to claim to be the obvious alternative, given the fact she doesn't seem to be able to win anywhere.”
Division and corrosion rampant
The atmosphere is toxic, Corriere del Ticino declares:
“Biden's almost certain opponent still believes that the White House was stolen from him. An insidious worm is eating away at American democracy. It appeared with the storming of Capitol Hill on 6 January three years ago and it has not been wiped out by the investigations. ... The emotional divide in America's democracy is worse than a civil war. When those who win an election are not recognised in their legitimacy to govern, there is no lasting economic growth. There is no wealth that dispels the justified or unfounded suspicion of deception or abuse. The rival becomes the enemy, the backstabbing stranger.”