He is focusing his energy on the more libertarian voters in New Hampshire.Īnother candidate critical of Trump, former Arkansas Gov. Chris Christie, for instance, has not visited the state as a 2024 candidate and was not among the speakers Friday. “That message is going to lose big time.”Ĭandidates who are the most blunt in knocking Trump are not making inroads in Iowa. “Why would you speak against him where there’s a big percentage of people who support Donald Trump?” asked Hayes, who is also a member of the state Republican Party central committee and publicly neutral. Cedar Rapids Republican Bernie Hayes, chair of the GOP in Iowa’s second most populous county, said he was shocked when Klein told people last week they should not back Trump in the caucuses. That approach has concerned some in the GOP. Since February, the group’s paid staff and volunteers have been knocking on thousands of doors a week in Iowa and raising questions about Trump’s chances in a general election, said Drew Klein, the organization’s state director. In a memo shared last month with donors to the influential network started by Charles and David Koch, Michael Palmer, who leads the group’s data and polling operation, argued against what he called “the myth of Trump inevitability.” He wrote that a significant number of Trump voters remain open to a Republican alternative and he cited public polling that indicates DeSantis may be a stronger general election candidate against President Joe Biden.īut a central challenge for Republicans is to hone a message that resonates with voters who have backed Trump but are open to others in 2024.Īmericans for Prosperity, the political arm of the Koch brothers operation, is working to explicitly undermine Trump in Iowa and other early-voting states. While many in the party view recent indictments of him in New York and Florida as politically motivated, they nonetheless risk becoming a liability that rivals may try to exploit. Yet Trump faces some vulnerabilities, including a feud with Iowa’s popular governor, Kim Reynolds, over her refusal to formally endorse his campaign. His campaign is bullish on Iowa, banking on his long-standing support in a state he easily carried twice in general elections, combined with an aggressive digital outreach that includes a focus on nontraditional conservative voters. Trump is eagerly embracing the lofty expectations. “I think there has been a lot of support for him for many years, and that’s a hard wall to crack.” “There’s no question Donald Trump is winning Iowa right now,” said Josie Albrecht, a former top Iowa GOP Statehouse communications adviser who is helping the state party but is neutral in the 2024 campaign.
Given the relatively early date of the caucuses, a strong win by Trump in Iowa could put him in a commanding position heading into the following contests. That makes Iowa particularly crucial for anyone hoping to stop him. Trump is the undisputed leader in Iowa, similar to the grip he holds on Republicans nationally. I’ve heard the stories myself, but what I haven’t seen is the millions and millions.” “I wish they would go out and write the check, too, because we haven’t seen that yet. “I’m glad to hear they’re all flocking to me,” Scott said.
#WHITE PAGES CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA CRACK#
Scott is making inroads because “he’s doing the real hard work of retail politics in Iowa, doing small groups with pastors and churches and leading to bigger and bigger meetings and venues,” said Mike Demastus, a Des Moines evangelical pastor who has met several times with Scott.Ĭarlson noted reports of increased interest in Scott, prompting a crack from the senator that he hoped the money would follow. Some say Scott is distinguishing himself with an aggressive outreach strategy paired with an upbeat message.
The South Carolina senator has impressed many with an agenda that is every bit as conservative as the one offered by Trump or DeSantis. Beyond DeSantis, Tim Scott is being closely scrutinized.
0 kommentar(er)
