Graham: ‘Policy contest’ best way to secure Haley voters for Trump

Senator Lindsey Graham speaks during a press conference held after a committee hearing about big tech and child exploitation.
Allison Robbert
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) speaks to members of the press following a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing at the Capitol regarding big tech and the online child sexual exploitation crisis on Jan. 31, 2024.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Tuesday that a “policy contest” between former President Trump and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley is the best way for Trump to attract GOP primary voters who are on the fence.

“I think draw a contrast between what President Trump would do on the border, on energy independence, on keeping us safe,” Graham told CNN’s Dana Bash during election-night coverage on Super Tuesday when he was asked how Trump can win over undecided voters.

Graham, a loyal Trump ally, said he thinks the Trump campaign needs to make “sure that people who are unsure about who to vote for will be well-informed about how bad things are and what Trump would do to fix things.”

“So I think a contrast on policy is the key to getting these people back on board,” he said.

Graham swatted down the prospect of losing Haley voters who, Bash said, “just don’t think Donald Trump is the right kind of person to be president for various reasons.”

“If you don’t think he’s the right kind of person, then you’ll have to vote for Biden,” Graham said.

Bash specifically noted that Haley, though a long-shot to win the nomination, still averages about 30 percent of the GOP vote. She also pointed to an exit poll that said 78 percent of Haley supporters would not commit to voting for the Republican nominee in November.

“All I can say is I think a policy contest is the best way to secure people who are on the fence, because the border is a nightmare. There’s a way to fix it. Trump can find that way. You know, we got to become energy independent again,” Graham said, adding that issues such as inflation and personal security “I think cut toward Trump.”

Tags Donald Trump Donald Trump haley Lindsey Graham Nikki Haley swing voters swing voters

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