THE IN-PLAIN-SIGHT RACE TO BE THE GOP’S TRUMP BACKUP. After a fast start, the Republican presidential race will be in South Carolina for the next 26 days. Former President Donald Trump, having won Iowa and New Hampshire, appears to have a commanding lead over South Carolina’s own Nikki Haley, although it’s important to note we don’t have any recent polls. Even the most generous conventional wisdom sees Haley leaving the race if, after having lost the first two contests, she can’t win her own state.

But there’s another race going on at the same time as the conventional campaign, one that Haley will still be part of no matter what happens in South Carolina. And that is the race to be the Republican backup candidate should Trump implode.