It might seem too soon to crown former United States president Donald Trump the official candidate of the Republican Party.
The primary season began just ago states have held nominating contests in which fewer than half a million Americans participated.
But given the drastically narrow path hereon for his sole challenger, Mrs Nikki Haley, it is not an unrealistic idea either.
Trump prevailed in the Jan 23 New Hampshire primary with 54.8 per cent of the votes against Mrs Haley's share of 43.2 per cent with 91 per cent of the vote counted.
He also made history as a rare non-incumbent to also win Iowa on Jan 15. Pundits hastened to point out that no candidate has won both these contests and not become the party nominee.
The general election begins tonight, his supporters began to chant in Nashua, New Hampshire, where Trump dwelt on his victory in a speech and told Mrs Haley she had no runway.
"Just a little note to Nikki: She's not going to win," he said.
Denne historien er fra January 25, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra January 25, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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