In the South Carolina primary over the weekend, former President Donald Trump came up with just a shade under 60% of the vote to squash former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley in the Palmetto State's Republican Primary (see primary results). But defying calls from South Carolina Republicans to exit the race, Haley planned to travel Sunday to Michigan, which holds its primary on Tuesday.
In the same state she served as governor for six years, Haley took a "deep nosedive" politically on Saturday, says Dr. Charles Dunn, professor emeritus of government at Clemson University.
"She wasn't ready for what happened to her – and the result is she may have ruined prospects for having an excellent political career," Dunn offers. "Right now, it doesn't look promising for her [after she ran] for governor twice and was held in high esteem in South Carolina."
And according to the political scientist, claims that "establishment" Republicans won't support Trump in the general election are of little concern. "They have no place to go. No place to go," he emphasizes.
"Take [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell," Dunn offers as an example. "Sure, he's had his wars with various members of the Republican Party, but he understands in the end he's got to produce – and he can't produce if he goes against the party."
McConnell and those who question the establishment's support for Trump on Election Day understand the objective in politics is to win, says Dunn. "[And] Trump understands that [too.]"
