A recent CBS News/YouGov survey conducted in South Carolina reveals that former President Donald Trump holds a significant advantage in the state's 2024 Republican primary. Despite the positive sentiments expressed towards former Governor Nikki Haley's tenure, voters in South Carolina seem more focused on the national implications of their party's nomination.

The survey findings indicate that a majority of Republican primary voters in South Carolina look back favorably on Haley's time as governor. However, their preference for the nomination does not hinge on her connection to the state. Instead, voters are thinking nationally, which gives Trump a considerable edge, as he enjoys widespread support among Republicans across the country.

Notably, nearly half of the party's voters in South Carolina identify as "MAGA," aligning with the national trend within the Republican Party. This subset of voters does not consider Haley to be part of the "Make America Great Again" movement, further diminishing her chances in the primary.

Trump's stronghold with his base is bolstered by the fact that a significant portion of his supporters have already made up their minds, with almost nine in 10 being "firmly decided." This unwavering support makes it challenging for Haley to resonate with her arguments regarding electability or chaos.

Furthermore, Trump garners higher retrospective approval ratings for his time as president compared to Haley's ratings as governor. This retrospective advantage negates any potential home-state edge Haley might have anticipated. Trump's array of advantages extends to perceptions of him fighting for the interests of the people, a measure that has consistently shown strong support in polls and early primaries.

In contrast, Haley may hold an edge in being perceived as "likable," but her campaign arguments do not seem to be resonating with Trump voters. Most of his supporters do not view his legal battles as a reason to consider Haley as an alternative candidate. This sentiment aligns with previous CBS News polling in Iowa and New Hampshire, where more voters deemed Trump fit for presidency even if convicted of a charge.

Regarding mental fitness, most voters in South Carolina do not view critiques of Trump as fair. Moreover, voters perceive Trump as having a greater chance of defeating President Joe Biden, a belief that echoes national sentiments.

Looking ahead, voters perceive Trump's policy approaches as more likely to deliver positive outcomes. A majority believes that they would be better off financially under Trump's leadership rather than Haley's. Additionally, while both candidates are seen as potentially securing the U.S.-Mexico border, an overwhelming number of South Carolina voters feel that Trump would be more effective in addressing border security. Similarly, more voters trust Trump to limit U.S. overseas military involvement.

The consistent support Trump receives from evangelicals in the South Carolina electorate is yet another advantage for the former president. These voters have long been a pillar of his base and continue to back him enthusiastically. This is evident in their alignment with Trump's stance on abortion and the perception that he is more likely than Haley to support a national abortion ban.

Interestingly, the choice between Haley and Trump does not seem to be driven by their proximity to the party "establishment" or their willingness to challenge it. While Haley is perceived as part of the Republican establishment, approximately six in 10 voters also view Trump in this light. Surprisingly, those who see Trump's association with the establishment mostly perceive it positively.

The CBS News/YouGov survey, conducted from February 5-10, 2024, included a representative sample of 1,483 registered South Carolina voters, with 1,004 likely Republican primary voters. The sample was weighted based on gender, age, race, education, geographic region, and past vote, according to the U.S. Census Current Population Survey. The overall margin of error for the sample is ±3.0 points, while for likely Republican primary voters, it stands at ±4.4 points.

As the race for the Republican nomination intensifies, these survey results underline Trump's significant advantage in South Carolina's primary. Haley faces an uphill battle to sway voters who are firmly in Trump's camp, placing her campaign's arguments on electability and chaos on shaky ground.