It’s presidential primary day in Nevada, which for a couple of decades has been a key early voting state in the race for the White House.
Nimarata might get a meaningless boost to her meaningless campaign on Tuesday, as the results come from a Nevada primary labeled “the most confusing and significant debacle… ever seen in Republican politics” by local GOP committeeman Will Bradley.
Besides Mike Pence and Tim Scott, who have already dropped out, Haley is the only candidate with any name recognition on the ballot. And she’s going to try and claim a victory on Tuesday night.
“But wait!” I hear you cry. “The primary is on Thursday, and Donald Trump has quite a lot of name recognition!”
That’s the problem in Nevada this cycle. If you’re thinking of Thursday, you’re thinking of the state party caucus, not the state-run primary. And that’s where Donald Trump is competing, alongside his only challenger, Texas businessman Ryan Binkley.
“If we can get 5 or 10 percent, get a delegate or two, come out here and get some national attention, that’s really our goal,” Binkley told 2 News Nevada, as if anyone cares.
In a craven attempt to confuse the situation, Haley will doubtless claim “victory” on Tuesday night. This, despite the fact that because the GOP is not formally involved, the “primary” is actually non-binding. In other words, even if she walks away the victor on Tuesday night, Haley will win precisely zero delegates. Instead, the delegates will be bound by the caucus, two days later, on Thursday.
It’s widely expected that Trump walks away from this process with all the delegates, unscathed in yet another state. But for those not paying super close attention, Haley will try and feign success within a 48-hour news cycle, pumping out e-mails, texts, and fundraisers claiming to have “won” in Nevada, while maintaining that her victory is being “stolen” from her by the “rigged” process.
Locals happen to be unimpressed with her ploy. Jim DeGraffenreid, of the state party, told ABC News he was “very surprised” about Haley picking the Democrat-endorsed primary, rather than the GOP caucus.
“I felt like she was still planning to be competitive,” DeGraffenreid said, adding, “I think I was most surprised that she chose to forego delegates here.”
So “see you next Tuesday,” Nimrata. But it won’t mean squat.