Ramaswamy Supporters React to Campaign Suspension
DES MOINES, Iowa—Angie Marie of Des Moines, a first-time caucus-goer, didn’t understand why Mr. Ramaswamy opted to end his campaign.“I want to cry,” she said at the entrepreneur’s watch party in downtown Des Moines. “It’s just the first one. Why stop now?”
She was even more unhappy that he endorsed former President Donald Trump who has “had nothing nice to say about him for the last 72 hours.”
Asked if she would support Mr. Trump, her answer was a sharp, “No!”
Matthew Garcia, 34, also a first-time caucus-goer from Des Moines expressed similar sentiments.
An independent who had never engaged much with politics, he said Mr. Ramaswamy was “open-testing hypothesis on how to approach connecting with our generation” and had impressed him through his podcasts and social media discussions.
He doesn’t know who to support now. “I am not committed to the Republican Party. Trump? He disrupts everything. I think he’s holding both party’s hostage.”
Wade Justin of Des Moines said what he liked most about Mr. Ramaswamy is “that he was using his own money—putting his own money up and that says something.”
Alyssa Wallace of Des Moines was disappointed “but it’s pretty understandable considering the climate of the race.”
She believes Mr. Ramasawamy should run again. “He’s setting himself up as a Trump alternative” in 2028.
She expressed concern that President Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden will be the oldest two presidential candidates in the nation’s history.
“That makes the vice president [on the tickets] very important,” Ms. Wallace said.
Bharat Nair, who came “up from Texas” to observe the Iowa caucusing—there was also a political science class from the University of Denver in the crowd—said he was “disappointed, a little bit” in Mr. Ramaswamy’s exit from the race.
“It’s not the results we were hoping for but things change,” he said. “It was not God’s will.”
Clint Smith of Des Moines said this was not the end for Mr. Ramaswamy, but the beginning.
“He’s young and he’s now on the radar,” he said. “I think he should run again. I think he will run again.”
Reactions From Trump’s Watch Party
DES MOINES, Iowa—The Epoch Times interviewed individuals attending former President Donald Trump’s watch party at the Iowa Events Center.Deborah Renae, 59, a dedicated worker at Trump’s Urbandale Campaign headquarters, commented on the outcome, stating, “I’m not shocked. We knew this was coming because we talked to the people. I’ve been telling people that this is Trump country.”
“I just want to see Trump going to the White House. That’s all I care about,” she said.
Since the summer, Ms. Renae had personally made over 200,000 phone calls on behalf of the Trump campaign.
When asked about the unwavering loyalty and commitment of Trump followers, Bruce LeVell, President Trump’s national diversity coordinator, told The Epoch Times that President Trump is the voice for the voiceless Americans.
“Because he’s the guy that speaks for the country. He speaks for the common man and woman who don’t necessarily have a voice. He shares that power that people want to have. They actually live vicariously through his movement.” he said.
Caucus Turnout Far Below 2016 Numbers
As the 2024 Iowa Caucus came to an end, lower-than-expected turnout numbers came to light.Whether or not it was due to the heavy snowfall and sub-zero weather, an estimated 130,000 Iowans made the effort to go to their respective precincts to cast their vote and kick off another election year.
This turnout was a far cry from the 186,932 who participated in 2016.
But with more than 95 percent of the vote tallied, the Associated Press reported just over 109,000 votes, with former President Donald Trump winning an unprecedented victory with 55,726 votes, or 51.1 percent of the total turnout.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earned 23,128 votes for 21.2 percent, and 20,789 votes were cast for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy accumulated more than 8,000 votes for over 7 percent before suspending his campaign and endorsing President Trump.
Iowans also awarded Ryan Binkley 765 votes and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson 190 votes. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie earned more than 30 votes even though he had earlier suspended his campaign, and 84 votes were cast for “other.”
Haley Wins the Only Iowa County Trump Lost—by 1 Vote
Former President Donald Trump dominated the Iowa Caucus, winning more than 50 percent of the vote. He won all but one of Iowa’s 99 counties.Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley won Johnson County, home of the University of Iowa, by one vote.
She got 1,271 votes, while President Trump got 1,270.
DeSantis Secures Distant Second Place
The Associated Press declared Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will finish second in the Republican Party of Iowa’s Caucus.On Jan. 15, Mr. DeSantis, with 95 percent of votes counted, won 21.2 percent of the votes in Iowa. He narrowly beat out former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, who took 19.1 percent.
In spite of spending far more time and money in Iowa, Mr. DeSantis and Ms. Haley finished far behind former President Donald Trump, who won 51 percent of the vote.
At his final campaign event in Iowa, Mr. DeSantis declared he had got his “ticket punched out of Iowa” even though other candidates and the media “threw everything but the kitchen sink at us.”
“We have a lot of work to do, but I can tell you this as the next president of the United States,” Mr. DeSantis told supporters in West Des Moines. “I am going to get the job done for this country.”
Why AP Called the Race for Trump So Early
The Associated Press’s quick decision to call the Iowa Caucus in favor of former President Donald Trump was met with backlash and condemnation by some of his competitors.Caucuses across the state began at 8:00 p.m. ET. By 8:32 p.m. ET, the Associated Press called the race in President Trump’s favor. The Epoch Times relies on Associated Press calls in most races, excluding those that are especially close or controversial.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was particularly critical of the call, saying that the media determined a victor in the race too early, noting that in many places across the state people were still voting.
Analysis of early returns and a survey, the media outlet explained, showed that President Trump quickly gained an “insurmountable” lead, leading the Associated Press to make the call that President Trump would win the race.
Democrats on Iowa Caucus Result: ‘This Election is a Choice Between More Freedoms or Fewer’
In response to tonight’s Republican Iowa caucus results, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison released the following statement:“Tonight, voters cast their first ballots in the MAGA Republicans’ 2024 primary, and the stakes of this election became even clearer for Americans across the country. Donald Trump is the leader of an extreme MAGA movement that has fully taken over the Republican Party–yet notably in a clear sign of weakness, even as the leader of the GOP and a former president, nearly half of Iowa Republicans voted for someone else.
“ Whether Trump or one of his wannabes ultimately emerges as the MAGA standard bearer at the end of the Republican primary, the bottom line is simple: this election is a choice between more freedoms or fewer, a stronger economy for working Americans or one that only benefits the ultra-wealthy, a leader we can trust to protect democracy or one that attacks our institutions for political gain. Trump 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 are all running on a platform that is toxic to the majority of voters. Hard working Americans will reject this extreme and unpopular agenda in 2024, just like they did in 2020.”
DeSantis After Caucus: ‘We Have Our Marching Orders’
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa—Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took the stage at 11:25 p.m. to tell supporters that his campaign had overcome opposition to achieve its objective in Iowa and would now carry the fight to New Hampshire and South Carolina.“In spite of all that they threw at us, we’ve got our ticket punched out of Iowa,” he said, indicating that Iowa voters had recommended him to the rest of the country as one of the top choices for president.
With 50 percent of the votes counted, Mr. DeSantis stood at 21 percent to Ms. Haley’s 19 percent.
President Donald Trump won the contest with some 51 percent of the vote.
Mr. DeSantis portrayed his campaign as carrying the torch to “preserve this sacred fire of liberty,” and exhorted his followers to carry on the fight.
“Don’t run away from this responsibility,” he said. “We welcome this responsibility.”
Mr. DeSantis departed the rally to travel overnight to South Carolina, then on to New Hampshire, where campaign events are scheduled for Jan. 16.
Haley Defiant Despite Third-Place Finish
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa—Despite finishing third in the Iowa Caucus, albeit closely to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley struck a defiant tone.“The pundits will analyze the results from every angle,” Ms. Haley told supporters at the Marriott here in West Des Moines.
“We get that but when you look at how we’re doing in New Hampshire, in South Carolina, I can safely say tonight, I will make this Republican primary a two-person race.”
Ms. Haley called for Americans to pick her rather than former President Donald Trump—whose victory in the caucus Ms. Haley congratulated—or President Joe Biden. She referred to a Wall Street Journal poll that shows her defeating President Biden by 17 percentage points in a hypothetical matchup.
At the end of her day, this was Ms. Haley’s message heading into Iowa: “Underestimate me. Because that’s always fun.”
Vivek Ramaswamy Drops Out and Endorses Trump
After months of campaigning, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has suspended his campaign after the Iowa caucus.“I will stick to the truth tonight,” Mr. Ramaswamy began. “There is no path for me to be the next president, absent things that we don’t want to see happen in this country.
“I am so proud of every one of you who have lifted us up,” he told the crowd, before pivoting to another announcement–that President Trump would enjoy his “full endorsement.”
The candidate finished fourth in the race, behind former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
“We did not achieve the surprise that we wanted to,” Mr. Ramaswamy said.
He told reporters he intended to campaign with President Trump in New Hampshire and said he believes neither Ms. Haley nor Mr. DeSantis has a path to winning the GOP nomination.
Former President Trump spoke positively of Mr. Ramaswamy during his victory address.
Mr. Ramaswamy suggested that his move was in line with America’s interests as a country.
After making the announcement, he spoke to his supporters and the press.
“It’s just the beginning,” his stream on X captured him saying to one watch party attendee.
One supporter pledged she would give President Trump the level of support she had given Mr. Ramaswamy.
“That’s the right answer,” the entrepreneur responded.
Trump Indicates Burgum Will Have Cabinet Role
President Donald Trump indicated during his speech after emerging victorious in the Iowa Caucus that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will have a role in his cabinet.Mr. Burgum, a former candidate for the Republican nomination, dropped out of the race after failing to gain traction. He immediately endorsed President Trump.
Now, President Trump suggests that he’s going to return the favor and make Mr. Burgum “a very important piece of the administration.”
“I hope I’m gonna be able to call on him [Doug Burgum] to be a piece of the administration, a very important piece of the administration,” President Trump said.
Trump Thanks Iowa, Congratulates Rivals in Victory Speech
Former President Donald Trump has taken the stage, flanked by his two sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and his wife, former Acting Attorney General Matt Whittaker, and other people in his team.“I wanna thank everybody,” President Trump said. “Most important I want to thank the great people of Iowa.”
“We’re gonna come together. It’s gonna happen soon.”
President Trump congratulated his rivals Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley “for having a good time together.”
“They both did very well,” he said, noting that second place hasn’t been decided yet.
He also congratulated Vivek Ramaswamy, saying the entrepreneur did “he did a hell of a job.”
“He came from zero and he’s got a big percent, probably 8 percent, almost 8 percent.”
Some Iowa Voters Were Puzzled by the Early Victory Call
Jacqueline Rieckena and Lily Duncan of West Des Moines arrived at Vivek Ramaswamy’s watch party at The Surety Hotel from caucus, certain that Nikki Haley was in the lead after winning the vote in Precinct 311.“Everywhere we’ve been, Nikki Haley won,” said Ms. Rieckena, a caucus captain for Mr. Ramaswamy, noting that the state GOP had extended caucus start times from 7 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
When they learned that former President Donald Trump was declared the winner just a short time later, at 7:32 p.m., they were both puzzled.
“We hadn’t even voted at that point,” said Ms. Duncan, checking her watch. “I voted at 7:49.”
Troy Barkhaus, of Altoona, who participated in the Precinct 1 caucus, said it was improper to declare President Trump the winner when less than 3 percent of the vote had been tallied.
“I would say so, yes. We hadn’t even voted by then,” he said, adding the media should report “something like, ‘he’s in the lead’” rather than declaring a winner.
Elliot Frey was surprised “very much so” by the early call, but accepted it because “that is the media world we live in.”
Alyssa Wallace and her husband, Seth Wallace, who live in downtown Des Moines, were surprised.
“That’s insane to me to call it that early,” Ms. Wallace said. “We didn’t even vote until at least 7:30.”
Kamala Harris Also Reacts to Trump’s Win in Iowa
After President Joe Biden posted his reaction to the Iowa caucus results on social media platform X, Vice President Kamala Harris followed suit.Biden Reacts to Trump’s Victory
President Joe Biden took to social media platform X to share his reaction following former President Donald Trump’s historic victory in the Iowa caucuses.“Looks like Donald Trump just won Iowa. He’s the clear front-runner on the other side at this point,” President Biden wrote. “But here’s the thing: this election was always going to be you and me vs. extreme MAGA Republicans. It was true yesterday and it’ll be true tomorrow. So if you’re with us, chip in now.”
‘Mr. Brexit’: Trump’s Lead in Iowa Could Deliver a ‘Knockout Blow’ to Rivals
DES MOINES, Iowa—Nigel Farage, the British politician nicknamed “Mr. Brexit,” said that if former President Donald Trump maintains his lead in Iowa, “it could be a knockout blow.”Mood Quickly Turns Celebratory at Trump Watch Party
DES MOINES, Iowa– Shortly after 8 p.m. local time, supporters of former President Donald Trump began filing into the room where he will take the stage and make a victory speech at the Iowa Events Center.Supporters lined up at the front of the room with the stage as a backdrop, posing for photos, all smiles, as uplifting music played.
An illuminated sign proclaimed, “Trump Wins Iowa!”
VIPs included “Front Row Joes,” a group of supporters who have attended dozens of the former president’s rallies. Another VIP is a man known as “Brick Suit” on social media for wearing a suit patterned with a brick motif. He told the Epoch Times that construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall is top priority for President Trump to tackle.
Dozens of news photographers were all standing on ladders waiting for the former president to make his appearance.
Only a few hundred people are expected to have access to President Trump’s Caucus Night Watch Party, including news media. However, there is standing room to accommodate more people; his campaign didn’t disclose who was invited to attend.
Near a stage with President Trump’s traditional American-flag-flanked backdrop, crews set up 16 cocktail tables and four larger sit-down tables, each with about 10 chairs, presumably reserved for VIPs, near the stage.
Campaign spokesmen did not say when the former president might arrive.
Trump ‘Is the Nominee’: Newt Gingrich
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said after President Donald Trump’s stunningly quick win in Iowa that President Trump should be considered the party’s 2024 nominee.“Trump is the nominee,” Mr. Gingrich said during an appearance on Fox News, adding that those who don’t like it should “get over it.”
Mr. Gingrich’s comments come after President Trump was declared the victor in Iowa at 8:32 p.m. (ET)—just 32 minutes after voting started.
Currently, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are vying for second place, but are currently around 30 points below President Trump as the votes continue to stream in.
‘I Feel Great’: Trump Reacts to Swift Iowa Victory
Former President Donald Trump told Fox News Digital after being announced the victor in the Iowa Caucus that he “feels great.”Congratulations Pour in for Trump
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) congratulated former President Donald Trump after he won the Iowa Republican caucus.“Congratulations to President Donald Trump for a resounding victory in Iowa! Today, Republican voters turned out amid harsh conditions and showed their resolve to bring an end to the failed economic and open border policies of President Biden,” Mr. Johnson said in a statement on Monday night.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y..) called it a “massive Trump victory” on X, formerly Twitter.
The House GOP Chair said that President Trump is the Republican Party’s nominee for the 2024 election and “he will defeat Joe Biden this November to #SaveAmerica!”
“Cue the journo and liberal meltdown,” Ms. Stefanik said.
Kari Lake, a top Trump surrogate and U.S. Senate candidate in Arizona, urged Republicans to rally around former President Trump following his “incredible victory” and concentrate on beating President Biden in November.
“It’s time for this primary to come to an end,” she wrote on X. “I urge Republicans to unite around President Trump as our nominee and focus on defeating @JoeBiden.”
Other Republican lawmakers also congratulated the GOP frontrunner on his commanding win in Iowa.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) echoed Ms. Lake’s sentiment that the GOP primary is over.
“It is clear to me–now more than ever–that Trump will be the Republican nominee and will eventually be the 47th President of the United States,” Mr. Graham said. “The Republican Party is fortunate to have so many good candidates, but for all practical purposes this primary is over.”
DeSantis Campaign Outraged
The DeSantis campaign reacted swiftly to the news that major news outlets had declared President Donald Trump the winner of the Iowa caucuses just 32 minutes after they began and with tens of thousands still voting.“Absolutely outrageous that the media would participate in election interference by balling the race before tens of thousands of Iowans even had a chance to vote. The media is in the tank for Trump and this is the most egregious example yet,” DeSantis Communications Director Andrew Romeo wrote on X.
Both CNN and the Associated Press declared that President Trump had won barely 30 minutes after the 1,756 caucuses began. Just 397 votes of a potential 180,000 had been called.
CNN declared Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador in a race for second place.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s campaign press secretary Bryan Griffin reposted Mr. Romeo’s statement on X, adding he was at the caucus site in Dubuque where the governor was speaking. He reported that “people were still waiting to be checked in when the media started making calls. No one had even voted.”
He called the media’s decision “extremely disrespectful to the voters.”
Mr. DeSantis’s gubernatorial press secretary, Jeremy Redfern, also spoke out against the move from the media, saying on X, “I’m at a precinct that hasn’t even voted yet, and the media are trying to call the race for Trump.”
Rep. Jackson, Others React to Trump Victory
PLEASANT HILL, Iowa—Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) told The Epoch Times he wasn’t surprised to see former President Donald J. Trump declared the victor of the Iowa caucus so early.“I think he’s gonna win. It’s just a matter of by how much he’s gonna win,” the lawmaker said as he was leaving the caucus site at a church in Pleasant Hill.
Two students from Washington and Lee University in Virginia were in town to see the caucus. They had a similar but somewhat more pessimistic take on the early declaration by news agencies, as caucuses were still going on across the Hawkeye State.
“I can imagine that they want Trump voters to go home earlier,” Beau Hancock told The Epoch Times.
His friend Ford Webb agreed.
For Trump supporters and opponents alike, the margins appear to matter.
Trump Wins
The Associated Press projected President Donald Trump as the winner of the Iowa caucus at 8:32 p.m. ET.The Associated Press declared a victory for the former president just 33 minutes into the voting process. Other media outlets have also called the race for President Trump.
No Republican has ever won the Iowa caucuses with a margin of more than 12 percentage points. The president was ahead by a multiple of that amount when the race was called. The final vote count is expected to be in by 1 a.m. EST.
Immigration, Economy Most Important Issues for Iowa Voters: NBC, CNN Entrance Polls
Immigration and the economy are the most important issues for Iowa Republican voters, according to the results of NBC News’ entrance poll.Stage Set for Haley Caucus Party
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa—The stage is set for GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s party at the Marriott here in West Des Moines as former President Donald Trump has been projected to win the Iowa Caucus.There are two filing centers for print press in the relatively small ballroom where Ms. Haley will speak. It will only include supporters and cameras and photographers, with the latter on risers.
The latest and last Des Moines Register poll before the caucus showed Ms. Haley finishing in second place with 20 percent of the vote behind former President Donald Trump, who got 48 percent and has been dominating in the polls.
There were two caucus precincts in one room at the hotel, though Ms. Haley herself was at another caucus site.
Ronny Jackson Speaks Out for Trump at Iowa Caucus Site
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) made a rapid-fire final case for former President Donald Trump in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, as the caucuses got underway.“This is the most important election of our lifetimes,” he told the men and women packed into a church in a community outside the capital of Des Moines.
“I think this is a unique situation. We have to have somebody that can do the job,” said Mr. Jackson, declaring that President Trump has shown he can do the job.
His background as President Trump’s personal physician gives him a distinct perspective, he said.
“Fill that Trump bucket up,” he exhorted the crowd.
Where’s He Caucusing? Trump’s Whereabouts a Secret
DES MOINES, Iowa–During several recent speeches, former President Donald Trump said he intended to attend a local precinct meeting on Caucus Night.
But as of 6:45 p.m. local time, 15 minutes prior to the mandated caucus start time, his staff remained tightlipped about his whereabouts.
Staff also declined to answer questions about who was invited to attend the “Caucus Night Watch Party” that is being held at the Iowa Events Center.
While leaving his hotel in Des Moine, President Trump said, “We’re gonna have a great day.”He added: We won twice as you know, two elections. I think we’re gonna have a tremendous night tonight. People are fantastic and I’ve never seen spirit like they have.”
Eric Trump Foresees ‘A Great Night,’ Vows to Fight With His Father Until ‘The End of Time’
DES MOINES, Iowa–Despite concerns that Democrats might try to play spoiler in tonight’s caucuses, Eric Trump told The Epoch Times he thinks tonight will be “a great night” for his father, former President Donald Trump.“If there’s a game that the Democrats can play or a system that the Democrats can rig, they will do it,” he said. “That’s who we understand them to be at this point, unfortunately.”
Mr. Trump, who paused at the Iowa Events Center hours in advance of his father’s planned remarks to supporters, said he doesn’t tend to assume that people are working in concert against others.
“I’m not a tinfoil-hat-wearing guy, but it’s... their general playbook,” Mr. Trump said.
He pointed out that the largest margin of victory in Iowa caucus history is 12 percent, “and I’m hoping we beat that.”
Mr. Trump said he thinks his father won’t get much credit if he breaks that threshold, as predicted–and maybe not even if his margin of victory is much higher than that.
“With few exceptions,” American media outlets are dishonest, he said. “If we get 20 percent or above, then I think you'll have people in media...say he should have gone 30 percent.” And so on.
“It’s the way the game is played,” he said. But “I think we’re gonna win by a really nice margin tonight.”
Regardless of tonight’s outcome, “it’s all about winning in November,” he said. “November 5 is the only day that matters.”
“We want to beat [Democrat President Joe] Biden, or whoever they put on the ticket,” Mr. Trump said. “We want to take this country back. We want to restore greatness.”
He pointed out his concerns about the Biden administration’s alleged foreign policy failings, making Americans vulnerable to attacks such as the missile fired on Jan. 15, that struck a U.S.-owned cargo ship in the Middle East.
In addition, “our economy is not doing well,” Mr. Trump said. “Everything’s more expensive, inflation’s way outpacing wage growth.”
On top of everything else, there are “cultural wars in this country,” including allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports if they assert they are transgender.
“And I think people are sick and tired and they know that Donald Trump’s a fighter. They know that they’re doing everything they can to weaponize the system to make sure he doesn’t win. And I think every time they do that, it actually makes him stronger.”
“He’s incredible. His stamina is remarkable. He impresses me every single day...he’s got more energy than any 25-year-old I’ve ever met in my life,” Mr. Trump said about his 77-year-old father.
“He’s the last one in bed; he’s the first one up, and he works absolutely relentlessly, and he carries it all on his shoulders,” Mr. Trump said.
During the 2016 campaign, he remembers young members of the press corps commenting that they weren’t sure his father could withstand the rigors of the presidency.
“Yet I would see them in the back of a room and they’re all sleeping against the wall, drinking Red Bull, and he’s on his seventh speech of the day,” Mr. Trump said.
“He is my best friend. He’s been a wonderful father. He’s got absolute backbone, unlike anybody I’ve ever met in my life and I’m proud of him,” Mr. Trump said. “I‘ll fight with him ‘til the end of time. I’ll never leave his side and he’s gonna make us proud. And I really believe he'll make America great again.”
Caucusgoers with Varied Views Prepare to Hear Rep. Ronny Jackson in Pleasant Hill
PLEASANT HILL, Iowa–At a church in a town near Des Moines, two precincts–Pleasant Hill 1 and Pleasant Hill 2–are about to caucus in the expansive and well-lit main sanctuary, where they'll also hear from the man who was former President Donald Trump’s personal physician, Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas).Troy Clark, a Trump caucus captain at the event, told The Epoch Times he believes President Trump was “cheated” out of a deserved victory in the 2020 presidential election. He said he’s “pretty certain” many others feel the same way.
But the former president also has critics in Pleasant Hill.
One couple who spoke with The Epoch Times, sitting in the front row with large Nikki Haley stickers on their chests, explained they had come in part out of concerns over President Trump returning to power.
Christine Urish explained that in order to participate, she had switched her registration from Democrat to Republican. Tom Crone, sitting next to her, said he was previously an independent.
Ms. Urish wasn’t sure if she would prefer Ms. Haley to the current President Joe Biden. But she’s sure both are far better than the former president.
“He wants to be a dictator,” she said.
If President Trump’s support is as good or better than it looks in polling, it should soon become clear in places like Pleasant Hill. Votes will be placed in a big KFC bucket, one for each precinct, before being sorted into individual smaller buckets for the smaller candidates.
“They'll count them three times to make sure they got the right number,” said Gay Lea Wilson, who chairs Pleasant Hill Precinct 2. Though she only chairs one of the two precincts, she will lead off the meeting.
Though she has stewarded caucuses before, this is the largest meeting of this sort in which she’s played a leadership role.
“They estimated 350 for this one. Well, that’s before the weather, so I don’t know how that'll affect it,” she told The Epoch Times.
New Hampshire Gov. Rules Himself Out as Haley Running Mate
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has ruled out the possibility of being Nikki Haley’s running mate, telling Fox News host Neil Cavuto that he’s “a little too hot.”“Look, I’d do anything for Nikki Haley but not—but probably not that. That’s not my gig. I don’t think Washington—I don’t think Washington could handle me,” Sununu said.
“I don’t know. I think I’m a little too hot.”
Mr. Sununu endorsed the former South Carolina governor ahead of his state’s primary and has been one of her biggest outspoken supporters since his endorsement.
Last week, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) announced a “Never Nikki” anti-endorsement website. When asked about it in a Jan. 12 appearance on Newsmax, Mr. Sununu stated that “nobody cares what Rand Paul thinks.”
“What does Rand Paul mean? Nothing. I’m sorry, but nobody cares what Rand Paul thinks in this race. This race is in Iowa and New Hampshire; it’s in South Carolina. She’s the only candidate that’s surging,” he said.
“Maybe when the U.S. Senate actually starts doing something and actually starts delivering some results, they can stand on a soapbox and think that their words matter. But until then, sorry, Rand Paul. Nobody cares.”
The New Hampshire governor’s endorsement has bolstered Ms. Haley’s standings in the polls.
According to a Real Clear Politics’ average of polls, Ms. Haley is polling second and is 14 points behind former President Donald Trump.
Trump-Supporting Father of 12 Released From Hospital Just in Time to Caucus
DES MOINES, Iowa–The patriarch of Iowa’s largest family of Trump campaign volunteers almost lost his chance to caucus for President Trump–and he was distressed about it.
Tim Krachenfels, a 45-year-old father of 12, passed out on Jan. 11 after suffering a blood infection.
He was hospitalized for four days–and was released just a few hours before he and his family would need to go to their caucus location.
“At 1:30 I got the go-ahead,” Mr. Krachenfels told The Epoch Times, because doctors found that his infections had cleared up.
“I’m excited about getting out and ready to caucus for Trump,” he said. “I was panicking. I mean, all this work and not being able to caucus?!”
During his hospital stay, Mr. Krachenfels got a visit from Kari Lake, a Trump surrogate, who prayed with him.
He, his wife, Terra, 46, and six of their 12 children have all volunteered at President Trump’s Urbandale campaign office. No other Iowa family can boast more Trump campaign volunteers, campaign organizers said.
The couple’s youngest child, son Courage, is 2—a little too young to help a political campaign. His siblings, ages 15 and up, are part of the Trump campaign’s ground game.
The eldest son, Jayce, 22, is a caucus captain and will be making a speech on behalf of President Trump at tonight’s caucus.
Biden Campaign Surrogates Say ‘No Difference’ Between Trump and GOP Rivals
DES MOINES, Iowa—Iowa Democrats are caucusing Jan. 15—in some places, separated by a curtain from their Republican neighbors—but will only be discussing “party business” and not be casting in-person presidential preference ballots.The party is opting to do a mail-in election with a Feb. 19 deadline. They will announce results on March 5, “Super Tuesday” when 16 states will stage presidential primaries.
But the Biden-Harris campaign made its presence known Jan. 15 at the Iowa Events Center in a half-hour press conference with three surrogates—Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg—ripped former President Donald Trump as a demagogue who would use the office to pursue personal vendettas and pose a danger to democracy.
But there’s “no difference” between Mr. Trump and his chief challengers, his administration’s United Nations’ ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Mr. Pritzker said.
“Tonight’s contest is simply a contest of whether you like MAGA in its original packaging or in high heels or with lifts in their boots,” he said. Later adding: ”They may wear different footwear but they are all dancing to the same dark tune.”
Ms. Smith said none of the GOP candidates would resist a Republican Congress attempt to impose a national ban on abortion.
“None of these candidates trust women to make their own decisions,” she said, “that is why we can’t trust them.”
Mr. Katzenberg, often described as a “Hollywood megadonor,” said the Democrats’ campaign raised $97 million during the last quarter of 2023 and has more than $117 million in the bank, “entering the election year with more cash on hand than any campaign in history.”
That is evidence, he said, that the party is gearing up to run “an operation like our democracy depends on it—because, in some respect, it does.”
The trio did not respond to questions about immigration policy or any of Mr. Trump’s legal issues, including the Supreme Court case regarding Mr. Trump’s eligibility, but Mr. Pritzker did answer queries from Chicago-based reporters about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s “busing plan.”
Since 2022, Texas has bused more than 80,000 immigrants to Democrat-led cities across the United States, including more than 33,000 to Chicago.
Mr. Pritzker said he asked Mr. Abbott to cease sending the poorly prepared illegal immigrants north during a deep freeze that has seen temperatures across the Midwest and the northeast plummet to single digits if not colder.
“He rejected my call for a pause and continues to send people even with this weather, even if it’s dangerous for other migrants who arrive” in Chicago, he said.
“I think that tells everything about the Republican Party, about their position on migration, immigration,” Mr. Pritzker said.
Asked if he thought Mr. Trump, who is far ahead in all polls, will ultimately survive his legal challenges and defeat his party rivals to square off in a rematch with Mr. Biden next November, Mr. Pritzker offered no predictions.
“I couldn’t tell you. I’ve been involved in presidential campaigns and involved in politics … for 35 years,” he said.
“And I have never been able to predict accurately—especially before the early contests—who the nominees are going to be. It’s very rare anyway.
“What I can tell you,” he continued, “is Joe Biden will be the nominee of the Democratic Party.”
Auctioneer Billy Long Brings His Brand of Fun to Trump Advocacy in Iowa
Many theatrical speakers took the stage on behalf of former President Donald Trump in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on Jan. 15, just ahead of the state’s first-in-the-nation Republican caucuses .Former Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) stood out as colorful and charismatic, even against the likes of the dynamic Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and outspoken Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.).
The auctioneer began his remarks by walking away from the stage to a nearby window, where he mimed looking around.
“There’s a towing company. I think it said DeSantis Towing on the side of it,” Mr. Long said, drawing laughter from a pro-Trump audience at ShinyTop Brewing.
He soon got the crowd engaged in a chant directed at President Trump’s rivals: “Who Cares!”
Mr. Long was equally entertaining earlier this week at a rally in Indianola, Iowa, at the invitation of President Trump.
At his request, Mr. Long presided over the auctioning off of an American flag that had once flown over the U.S. Capitol.
“Don’t you love this guy?” President Trump asked the crowd..
“Everybody thought I was nuts,” he recalled onstage.
Afterwards, Mr. Long spoke with The Epoch Times about his early confidence in then-candidate Donald J. Trump. He recalled predicting he would win the general election as early as August 2015.
He explained why he and many others find President Trump so impressive in one-on-one interactions. He is, in a word, present.
“He’s the most engaging guy in the world,” Mr. Long said.
“You go into a meeting with him, and there’s two things that will never happen. The meeting will never end until Donald J. Trump is ready to end the meeting, and he'll never look at his watch during the meeting,” he added.
Mr. Long recalled meeting President Trump for the first time in 2011 while participating in a charity golf tournament. The future president took the time to speak with him at length about the 2012 election, then in the future.
“I’m a no-name, nothing congressman, first-term congressman from Missouri,” said Mr. Long. “Nobody knows me.”
He also rejected talk that the Trump White House was uniquely “dysfunctional” in characteristically colorful terms.
“One of the most dysfunctional White Houses ever was Bob Dole’s White House. That was really dysfunctional. And then another one was John McCain’s White House. You remember John McCain’s White House?... And then the most dysfunctional White House of all time was Mitt Romney’s White House,” he said, before roaring out the punchline: “They never got elected!”
In making his pro-Trump pitch, the former lawmaker from the Show Me State laid emphasis on what he argues his candidate has demonstrated. For a Republican seeking national success, electability shows itself.
Haley Tells Voters: ‘This is Go Time’
DES MOINES, Iowa—In her final event before the caucuses, Ms. Haley had a message to Iowa voters: “This is go time.”The virtual town hall came one day after former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Trump critic, endorsed Ms. Haley.
“I think Nikki Haley’s got all the momentum, and what this race is really all about is to try to nominate the strongest possible nominee for November,” Mr. Hogan told CNN.
“I’m convinced that the momentum is with Nikki Haley, that she has the potential of moving into second place—although it be at a distant second place—which gives her momentum heading into New Hampshire where she’s only seven points down, and I think that’s a real possibility,” he said.
Even a prominent pastor in Iowa, John Palmer, who asked a question at CNN’s town hall with Ms. Haley in June, switched his support to her from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
On caucus day, in addition to hosting tele-town halls, Ms. Haley made a couple retail stops including at Drake Diner in Des Moines.
Iowa GOP Chair Expects ‘Robust’ Turnout Despite Cold
The head of the Iowa GOP says Iowans would rather throw on an extra coat and caucus rather than endure four more years of President Joe Biden.“The climate is like that. Certainly, the enthusiasm is there,” Mr. Kaufmann said.
“We'll see if these subzero temperatures take us from record-breaking to a great turnout but I think I can look you in the eye and predict a very robust turnout this evening.”
Mr. Kaufmann added that Republicans are fed up with the “most incompetence we’ve ever had in the White House.”
“I think if you’ve got cold temperatures versus four more years of Joe Biden, what do you bet they throw on another coat and head on out to caucus?”
Iowa Gov. Reynolds Says She’ll Back Trump If He Wins GOP Nomination
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), stated that she would support former President Donald Trump if he wins the Republican presidential nomination in the 2024 primary.While speaking with Fox News’ Neil Cavuto, the Republican governor made her remarks in response to a question about whether or not she agreed with former United Nations ambassador and 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley that she would back the Republican nominee in the end.
“I’m a Republican, and you know, all of the candidates running are going to be better than what we have,” Ms. Reynolds continued.
Mr. Cavuto pushed Ms. Reynolds, on it, asking if she would support President Trump in spite of the former president’s criticism of the governor over her endorsement of fellow Republican candidate Mr. DeSantis.
“… We’ve got to win. I mean, we are resilient people. This country is in trouble. Look at the southern border,” Ms. Reynolds said in response while expressing confidence that Mr. DeSantis would win Iowa.
“I just think, too, when you look at the direction of the country, I mean I believe it’s going to be Ron.”
DeSantis Relishes Role of Underdog as Caucus Time Approaches
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa—The real pressure in the Iowa caucuses is on President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley according to a spokesperson for the DeSantis campaign.
DeSantis Slams Trump and Dismisses Rubio Endorsement
Hours before the Iowa Caucuses were set to start, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis slammed the frontrunner, former President Donald Trump.“I think Trump has kind of taken Iowa for granted. He’s not done the questions. He’s not participated in debates,” DeSantis said on Jan. 15 in an interview on NewsNation.
“He’s not gone to … certainly hasn’t done all 99 counties. And yeah, he’s got a big name because he’s been president. But then looking forward, there’s a lot of fluidity here. And I think we’ve put ourselves in a good position to capture that going forward.”
And he dismissed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s endorsement of the former president the previous day.
“So you know, I’m a governor. So I have like 90 members of our state legislature, between [the] House and Senate that have endorsed me, because they’ve worked with me, and they’ve seen the great results,” Mr. DeSantis said.
He said he didn’t think voters wanted someone backed by “all these Washington politicians,” saying that’s why some Republicans have “gravitated” toward Mr. Trump, “the embodiment of the DC Republican class.”
Voters, he said: “Look at Washington D.C., and they say, you know, these Republicans talk a big game, but they don’t ever deliver.”
Stage is Set for Trump Watch Party
DES MOINES, Iowa–Only a few hundred people are expected to have access to former President Donald Trump’s Caucus Night Watch Party, including news media.Inside the Iowa Events Center, where President Trump is expected to make remarks this evening, there are more spots set up for reporters than guests.
However, there is standing room to accommodate more people; his campaign didn’t disclose who was being invited to attend.
Near a stage with President Trump’s traditional American-flag-flanked backdrop, crews set up 16 cocktail tables and four larger sit-down tables, each with about 10 chairs, presumably reserved for VIP’s, near the stage.
As of 4 p.m. local time, a three-tiered press riser was nearly filled with equipment from dozens of media outlets. Behind that, in the rear of the room, about 150 chairs are set up to accommodate reporters and photographers who use laptops.
All media are required to be in place by 7 p.m., the same time the caucuses start. Campaign spokesmen did not say when the former president might arrive.
DeSantis Watch Party Events in Des Moines
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa—Set up is underway for the DeSantis campaign watch party at the Sheraton hotel. About 400 staff and supporters are expected for the event, to be held in a ballroom space of perhaps 3,500 square feet that includes a stage and a dozen cocktail tables.Doors open at 8 p.m. for the invitation-only event. Additional guests will attend a separate function in the hotel foyer hosted by Never Back Down, a PAC supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Mr. DeSantis was slated for three campaign events across the state today and is expected to be in attendance at one of the Iowa caucus sites.
Some sites are expected to report results as early as 9:30 p.m.
State officials expect, but will not guarantee, that unofficial results will be reported tonight, confirmed by official paper tallies submitted later.
Biden Volunteers on MLK Day as GOP Candidates Freeze in Iowa
As Republican presidential candidates embarked on their final day of campaigning in Iowa, where they braved freezing temperatures, President Joe Biden chose to spend the day volunteering at Philabundance, a hunger relief organization in Philadelphia to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.This is the president’s third year volunteering at Philabundance, where he was packing produce.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris marked MLK Day in South Carolina by delivering a speech in which she warned that American freedoms are at risk. She used Dr. King’s legacy to urge black voters to support Democrats in the 2024 election.
Florida Officials Brave Iowa Weather to Campaign for DeSantis
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has taken hard punches in the primary race, with more than $40 million spent on negative ads against him, and the state’s Republican leaders, most recently Sen. Marco Rubio, endorsing the likely victor, former President Donald Trump.But that hasn’t stopped many supporters from what Mr. DeSantis calls “the Free State of Florida” from showing up to work for him today in Iowa, where the weather is decidedly unFloridian, with nary a palm tree or pink flamingo in sight.
Campaign press secretary Bryan Griffin said about a hundred state employees, including high-ranking office holders and department heads, traveled to Iowa on their own dime to knock on doors in frigid weather conditions for their governor.
Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez and her husband, Adrian, were bundled up and posting on social media about it. So were Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, the governor’s partners in enacting his ambitious legislative plan.
Mr. Griffin posted a photo of himself and his predecessor as press secretary, Christina Pushaw, standing with deep snow between them near the door of a house they are approaching.
Mr. DeSantis is looking to his ground game to help today in a state where he has campaigned relentlessly, visiting all 99 counties, and winning the endorsement of the Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds.
“We are extremely heartened by the volunteers coming from all over the country to join our team and support this campaign,” Mr. Griffin texted to The Epoch Times.
“It speaks volumes that the people who work for and know Ron DeSantis best show up to support him no matter the distance or weather.”
Some 17-Year-Olds Can Vote in Caucus, Ramaswamy Reminds Young Voters
Vivek Ramaswamy continues to urge young Iowans to get out and participate in the first-in-the-nation caucus tonight, reminding them that they don’t have to be 18 to do so.Cavalcade of High-Profile Trump Supporters Rev Up Crowd in Fort Dodge
FORT DODGE, Iowa—The lineup at ShinyTop Brewing in Fort Dodge, Iowa, was a treat for supporters of former President Donald Trump.Everyone from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to Kari Lake to Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) to the wrestler Kane (Glenn Jacobs, the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee) had come to town just hours ahead of the state’s Republican caucus.
The number of Floridians braving the near-Arctic cold for President Trump rather than their own Gov. Ron DeSantis, stood out.
“When the Trump Train rolls into town, we roll pretty deep,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said after taking the stage from Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.).
The speakers lauded President Trump’s experience and, on many occasions, expressed their concerns about President Joe Biden.
Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), who leads the House Ways and Means Committee, says he, fellow Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) believe that President Biden is “the most corrupt and compromised president in the history of this country.”
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) told The Epoch Times he believed the House Republicans would “deliver” on impeachment of President Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and agreed with Mr. Smith that President Biden is the most corrupt president in U.S. history.
Asked about the possibility of Democrats crossing over to caucus for Nikki Haley or another non-Trump candidate, he said, “That just shows you how they fear President Trump.”
“If you call yourself a Republican, and you would vote for Joe Biden before you vote for Donald Trump, you are not a Republican,” Mr. Jackson told The Epoch Times.
DeSantis Campaign Says All the Pressure Is Now On Trump And Haley
Is the DeSantis campaign getting ready to finish third at the GOP’s Iowa Caucus?It reiterated President Donald Trump holds a commanding lead ahead of the Republican Party’s Iowa caucus.
On Jan. 15, in a message to the press, Ron DeSantis For President Communications Director Andrew Romeo said the polling now puts all the pressure on Ms. Haley to finish in second place.
“Nikki Haley and Donald Trump head into caucus day with sky-high expectations,” Mr. Romeo said in his message. “New ... polls claiming that she has overtaken DeSantis [mean] it’s second place or bust for Haley in Iowa.”
Meanwhile, the Haley campaign is drawing fire directly from President Trump and returning it.
On Jan. 15, Ms. Haley’s spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas issued a statement telling voters not to “believe the fake news from Trump world” after President Trump labeled her an “unwanted globalist” on his Truth Social page.
Ramaswamy Cries ‘RIGGED’ as He’s Left Off Fox and AP Poll
GOP Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy pointed out that he was left off a poll of caucus candidates by mainstream media.Just hours before the Hawkeye State is set to caucus, the entrepreneur shared screenshots of a “voter attitudes” poll distributed by Fox News and the Associated Press. Participating voters only got to choose between former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Victory In Iowa Doesn’t Guarantee A Nomination
In recent years, winning the Iowa Caucus has not always meant a trip to the party convention is in store.President Carter technically didn’t win the caucus in 1976; “uncommitted” did, but he declared himself the winner anyway. He went on to win the nomination and the presidency over incumbent President Gerald Ford.
President George H.W. Bush won the 1980 GOP caucus but did not win the White House until 1988. In 1988, he lost to longtime Kansas Sen. Bob Dole.
Mr. Dole went on to win the caucus again in 1996, but he lost the general election to incumbent President Bill Clinton. Mr. Dole remains the only man running against opposition to win the caucus twice.
Recently, for Republicans, winning on caucus night doesn’t amount to much.
In 2008, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee won but lost the nomination to longtime Arizona Sen. John McCain. In 2012, Rick Santorum narrowly beat out Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) but Mr. Romney ended up running unsuccessfully against incumbent President Obama.
In 2016, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) beat President Donald Trump. However, President Trump’s second-place finish well ahead of established politicians like Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush proved that the outsider could be a mainstream candidate.
On the Democratic side, winning the caucus has been a more reliable indicator a candidate will ultimately win the primary contest.
In 1972, then South Dakota Sen. George McGovern finished in third at the caucus but won the nomination. In 1988, then Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis replicated the feat. In 1992, President Bill Clinton did one better, winning the White House after finishing a distant fourth.
Between 2000 and 2020, every Democratic nominee won the caucus in their respective years. That streak came to an end, quite embarrassingly for the Democrats, when the 2020 caucus didn’t yield a clear winner.
In 2020, both Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg finished with 26 percent support. Mr. Buttigieg ended up winning the most delegates even though he didn’t get the most votes in either the initial count or the recount. Mr. Sanders won the popular vote but lost the race for state delegate equivalents.
DeSantis Not Dropping Out After Iowa
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to be in the Republican primary for the long haul, even if he fails to accumulate early victories.“We’re going on with this. We’ve been built for the long haul. It’s all about the accumulation of delegates,” Mr. DeSantis told NBC News when asked if he would quit the race after the Iowa caucus.
Mr. DeSantis also remarked on former President Donald Trump’s latest comments about Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, telling the news outlet that “this is a Trump first operation, rather than America first.”
The Republican frontrunner and his campaign have targeted the governor, accusing her of becoming “the most unpopular governor in the entire United States of America.”
“Not an easy feat,” former President Trump said in a Jan. 9 video.
Ms. Reynolds endorsed Mr. DeSantis on Nov. 7.
Speaking in a Jan. 15 interview with Fox News, the Iowa governor warned that “it’s going to be bad for President Trump if he doesn’t come in over 50 [percent] or so.”
“If Ron can get close to that, and President Trump is below 50 [percent], I think he’s in the game,” Ms. Reynolds said. “I think he’s in the best position to meet expectations.”
Haley Campaign Drops New Ad in New Hampshire
With the Iowa Caucus just hours away, the Haley campaign is gearing up for the next fight in the GOP nomination battle: New Hampshire, the first-in-the-nation primary.“The two most disliked politicians in America: Trump and Biden. Both are consumed by chaos, negativity and grievances of the past. The better choice for a better America: Nikki Haley,” stated the narrator.
“I have a different style and approach. I'll fix our economy, close our border, and strengthen the cause of freedom. We need a new generation of conservative leadership to get it done,” said Ms. Haley.
Some Numbers That Shape the Iowa Caucus
Weather: Today’s polar temperatures will certainly be a factor. The candidates say so and are telling their loyalists to bundle up. Today’s forecast was for a high of 2 degrees, a low of -6, and wind chill as low as -27.It was less of a factor in the last two caucuses where the Republican races were contested, in 2012 and 2016.
The Des Moines Register reported Jan. 3, 2012, was a “balmy January day by Iowa standards,” getting up to 35 degrees with only occasional gusts of wind. Temperature around the state ranged from a high of 40 degrees to a low of 10, with wind chill of 0.
And on Feb. 1, 2016, it went as high as 47 degrees, with a low of 27 degrees and a wind chill of 24.
Forecasts for 7 p.m. CT, the caucus start time around the state, include -4 for Des Moines, -5 for Cedar Rapids, and -7 for Ames.
That record was itself shattered in 2016, when with a nearly identical number of registered Republicans, 615,066, about 30 percent of the electorate, 186,932, showed up. The top three were Ted Cruz at 27.6 percent, Donald Trump at 24.3 percent, and Marco Rubio at 23.1 percent.
The former president spent most of the past year in the high 40s on the RCP Poll Average, flirting with 50 percent at times but not hitting it to stay until Dec. 12. He showed a high of 53.6 percent on Jan. 9.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in May was as high as 28 percent, but gradually lost ground as other challengers emerged, including former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek. Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and South Carolina Sen.Tim Scott. Mr. DeSantis’s numbers took a sharp drop in late July, going from 23 percent to 17 percent from July 22 to July 26. President Trump surged from 47 percent to 50 percent then. Mr. DeSantis since then has hovered in the high teens, getting to 20 percent briefly in December.
Ms. Haley was at around 5 percent during the spring and summer but started her own climb around Labor Day, cracked the 10 percent line in mid-October and reached 15 percent around Thanksgiving. She didn’t pass Mr. DeSantis until last week.
Ramaswamy Campaign Accuses New York Times of ‘Trying to Tip the Scales’ of Causus
In the final hours of the countdown to the start of Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus, Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign called out the New York Times for what it sees as unfair coverage.On an extended list, Mr. Ramaswamy is found positioned above former New Jersey governor Chris Christie–who dropped out of the race–and former Arkansas governor Asa Huchinson, and Ryan Binkley.
Haley Fires Back at Trump Campaign for Saying She ‘Supports MAGA Agenda’
DES MOINES, Iowa—Just hours ahead of the caucus, Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign fired back at the campaign of former President Donald Trump, who has been dominating the polls.At issue is a campaign mailer stating that Ms. Haley “is a BIG supporter of Trump’s MAGA agenda.” MAGA stands for “Make America Great Again,” which is President Trump’s campaign slogan.
“Don’t be fooled! Nikki Haley will say anything to get elected!” the mailer reads.
“Donald Trump knows Nikki Haley is a strong conservative who he praises repeatedly for her toughness at the United Nations,” said Haley national spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas in a statement.
“Now that Nikki is surging and Trump is dropping, his campaign is flinging phony, contradictory attacks. Don’t believe the fake news from Trump world – they don’t believe it themselves.”
On the campaign trail, Ms. Haley has said she has been criticized by Trump supporters for not being pro-Trump enough and by critics for not being critical enough of the former president.
In Fort Dodge, Damaging Crossover Not a Big Worry to Trump Supporters
FORT DODGE, Iowa—Trump supporters at a pre-caucus event in Fort Dodge, did not dismiss the possibility that crossover by Democrats and independent voters could affect the outcome of tonight’s contest.“I think the establishment has come up with some tactics to try to get just anybody to lower Trump’s numbers,” Stacey Besch told The Epoch Times. She was sitting near the front of the room wearing a Trump T-shirt and sequined American flag coat.
Yet, those tactics will ultimately “fire us Trump people up even more,” she said.
Her prediction was in line with the optimism voiced by many fans of former President Donald Trump who spoke with The Epoch Times.
In the front row, David Alcazar, clad in bright red Kansas City Chiefs gear, sat next to his father, Michael, who wore Green Bay Packers’ green and gold. “My mother’s a K.C. fan,” David explained to The Epoch Times.
The younger Alcazar believes most crossover will be from Democrats and independent voters who want Trump back in office “because of how bad the economy is.”
Shelly Jacobi, another Trump supporter, managed to get to the Fort Dodge event but is not sure she can make it to the caucus.
“I live on a rural road. It can be treacherous,” she told The Epoch Times.
She hadn’t heard about the possibility of crossover.
“That’s pretty naughty,” she said.
“I would hope that people would have enough integrity that they wouldn’t do that,” said Betty Tussing, who sat next to Ms. Jacobi. Though the two had never met before, they had become fast friends.
Iowa GOP Prepares for 2024 Caucus: Key Steps and Checklist for Voters
The Iowa Republican Caucus starts at 7 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2024, across all 99 counties in the state.If voters are not yet registered, there is an option to register in-person at the caucus location on event night. A valid form of ID and additional documentation, including proof of address (residential lease, utility bill, etc.) are required.
DNC Blasts ‘Most Extreme, Far Right GOP Field in History’
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Jan. 15 issued a four-page memo blasting all presidential candidates on the ballots that Iowa Republicans will see when they convene their caucuses at 7 p.m. tonight as “the most extreme, far right GOP field in history.”“As voters prepare to cast their ballots in the first nominating contest of the 2024 GOP primary, one thing is clear: Across the board, the remaining contenders for the GOP nomination are ultra-MAGA,” DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said in the memo, maintaining that Republican candidates “have staked their campaigns on a race for the extreme MAGA base—and they’ll live to regret it come November.”
The memo draws bullet-point contrasts between Republican positions and those espoused by Democrats.
Support for abortion access, the Affordable Care Act, Social Security/Medicare, and for thwarting “attacks on democracy” by “election deniers.”
“A majority of Americans oppose [former President Donald] Trump’s plans to cut the corporate tax rate, and 70 percent support President [Joe] Biden’s minimum tax on large, profitable corporations,” the memo concludes, noting 59 percent “of voters support proposals like President Biden’s billionaire minimum tax.”
Last-Minute Endorsements for Trump
The Colorado Republican Party endorsed former President Donald Trump late on Sunday during its 400-member governing committee meeting.The endorsement is significant because state parties often prefer to remain neutral during primaries, allowing party members to choose their candidate freely and without influence.
A movement to remove President Trump from the Colorado ballot is being disputed in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Colorado’s primary election will be on March 5, Super Tuesday, when many states hold their primaries.
Colorado is the second state GOP to make a primary endorsement. The Ohio Republican party endorsed President Trump in early December.
Ohio’s Republican Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, endorsed President Trump for the GOP nomination on Monday in a post on X.
“Joe Biden’s reckless policies have weakened America--especially our economy and our security,” Mr. Husted’s social media endorsement said. “We need strong leadership to get America back on track. That’s why I’m endorsing Donald Trump for President.”
President Trump will secure U.S. borders from drugs, crime and human trafficking, Mr. Husted said.
“Trump has won Ohio twice and he'll win Ohio again in 2024.”
Ohio’s primary election will be held March 19, by which time, some candidates may have already dropped out.
The New York Times Implores Republicans to Choose Anyone but Trump
In an opinion piece, the New York Times Editorial Board concedes that former President Donald Trump has a clear path to the Republican nomination, but it hopes Republican caucus and primary goers will change their minds.“At this critical moment, it is imperative to remind voters that they still have the opportunity to nominate a different standard-bearer for the Republican Party, and all Americans should hope that they do so,” reads Jan. 15 piece titled The Responsibility of Republican Voters.
The board says its concern is not partisan, but out of concern for the country that both major parties have qualified presidential candidates, because, it says, Mr. Trump has damaged the Republican Party and the health of American democracy.
“When Mr. Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, he sought to retain power by fomenting a violent insurrection against the government of the United States,” the board wrote, referring to the disputed events of Jan. 6, 2021.
The editorial board describes itself as a group of opinion journalists whose views are informed by expertise, research, debate, and certain longstanding values.
Voters who support Mr. Trump’s plans for further tax cuts, restrictions on abortions, or strict limits on immigration should not be swayed by these issues, the board warns.
“That’s politics, and the divisions among Americans over these issues will persist regardless of the outcome of this election. But electing Mr. Trump to four more years in the White House is a unique danger.” And even if Mr. Trump does win the presidency, the New York Times says he will not be allowed to achieve his platform goals.
“Voters inclined to support Mr. Trump as an instrument of certain policy goals might learn from his presidency that changes achieved by lawless machinations can prove ephemeral. Federal courts overturned Mr. Trump’s effort to deny federal funding to ‘sanctuary cities,’” and the piece goes on to list other court challenges the Trump administration faced in court, and that some policy was overturned in the first week of President Joe Biden’s term.
Voters have other Republican options, the board says, that are close to Mr. Trump’s agenda.
“The sooner he is rejected, the sooner the Republican Party can return to the difficult but necessary task of working within the system to achieve its goals.”
Haley to Iowa Voters Hours Before Caucus: ‘Wear Layers’
DES MOINES, Iowa—GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley called on voters to get to their caucus sites amid the below-zero temperatures.“Stay warm. Wear layers. Take your ID with you. Bring friends with you. Get there at 6:30,” she said, referring to the half-hour point before the caucuses begin, Central Time.
“Let’s do this,” she continued. “It is time that we save America.”
She made these remarks at the conclusion of a town hall she hosted via telephone amid the freezing weather in Iowa. It was the first of two tele-town halls, with the second one at 5 p.m. (CT), three hours before Ms. Haley’s watch party.
Ms. Haley went through her usual stump speech, focusing on the economy, education, foreign policy, border security, and biological males in biological female sports.
Ms. Haley noted she has done 150 town halls in the Hawkeye State.
The tele-town halls come one day after Ms. Haley hosted events in Ames and Adel—both of which were packed as Ms. Haley has experienced momentum, though former President Donald Trump dominates the polls. A Des Moines register poll shows Ms. Haley with 20 percent of the vote.
Finally, the virtual town hall comes one day after former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Trump critic, endorsed Ms. Haley.
“I think Nikki Haley’s got all the momentum, and what this race is really all about is to try to nominate the strongest possible nominee for November,” Mr. Hogan told CNN.
“I’m convinced that the momentum is with Nikki Haley, that she has the potential of moving into second place—although it be at a distant second place—which gives her momentum heading into New Hampshire where she’s only seven points down, and I think that’s a real possibility,” he said.
Republicans Think Democrat Trojan Horse Operation Unlikely
DES MOINES, Iowa—Republican leaders say an attempt by Democrats to skew the results of tonight’s caucuses by voting Republican is unlikely.“A year ago, if you'd asked me, I would have been very concerned that a number of Democrats would come and try to change the results of the presidential poll,” Gary Nystrom, GOP chair for Boone County told The Epoch Times. “As of now, I’m not expecting a large number of people to do that.”
State GOP chair Jeff Kaufmann said much the same in a televised interview on CNN this morning, saying there’s a low probability of “Democrats playing Republican for the night.”
David Engel, co-chair of the Marshall County Republicans reported receiving one call from a woman in another county seeking to register as a Republican. Mr. Engel told The Epoch Times that some crossover voting could occur.
Democrat and Republican caucuses are often held separately at the same location, such as a school.
Tonight’s Democrat caucuses will not include a presidential preference poll. That will be conducted by mail rather than in person. Ballots must be requested by Feb. 19 and results will be announced on March 5.
High attendance is expected at the caucuses despite the freezing temperatures.
“We’re expecting a large number of caucus-goers,” Mr. Nystrom said. “A surprising number [who] have said they’ve never been to a caucus before have said they’re coming out. I know we’ve got bad weather, but Iowans are very dedicated to this and I expect we'll have a large turnout tonight.”
Candidates Make Final Pitches
Candidates are making their final appeals this blustery Monday before Iowa Republicans gather for the 7 p.m. CT Iowa Caucus. Party members make their case for their preferred candidate, then vote for which Republican they would like to see on the ballot. All times below are local.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will conduct three campaign events today, with stops in Sergeant Bluff, Council Bluffs, and Cedar Rapids. He is expected to attend an evening caucus before proceeding to his campaign watch party in West Des Moines.
Nikki Haley appears at a tele-town hall at 5 p.m. and her 8 p.m. watch party will also be in West Des Moines.
Vivek Ramaswamy started the day with a townhall meeting in Urbandale, and moved to a 10:30 a.m. rally in Waterloo, with another rally planned for 1 p.m. in Cedar Rapids and a caucus night party at the Surety Hotel in Des Moines starting at 5 p.m.
Former President Donald Trump will be calling caucus captains and making a video message for supporters. Mr. Trump canceled in-person rallies scheduled over the weekend due to severe Iowa weather. He is making a noticeable appearance on social media Monday.
Mr. Trump will hold a watch party at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The former president has said he intends to visit a caucus site in person but his team has been tight-lipped about details of such a visit.
Biden Campaign Raises More Than $97 Million for Reelection Campaign
WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) raised more than $97 million for his reelection campaign during the fourth quarter, which ended on Dec. 31.This was much higher than the Biden campaign’s third-quarter fundraising of more than $71 million, showing that donors are willing to stand behind the president despite his low approval ratings, concerns about his age, and his management of the economy, border crisis, and global conflicts.
Democrats had $117 million in cash on hand as of the end of last month, the highest amount ever by a Democrat at this stage of an election cycle, according to the Biden campaign.
“Team Biden-Harris’ Q4 haul was driven in large part by the strength of our grassroots support, which continued to grow in Q4,” the Biden campaign said in a statement.
“While most of the Republicans have not yet announced their fundraising numbers, we fully expect to lap them,” said senior adviser for communications T.J. Ducklo. “Several times.”
Since launching his reelection campaign in April, Biden has raised $235 million from nearly a million donors.
Trump, DeSantis, Haley Lead Biden in New Poll
One day before Iowa kicks off the primary season with their Republican caucuses, polling data showed that the top three Republican presidential contenders all have more support than President Joe Biden in hypothetical general election scenarios.
The CBS News/YouGov poll published on Jan. 14 indicated that former President Trump, ex-United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would all likely beat the current president if an election were held today.
The same poll showed that President Trump has maintained a significant lead in the GOP primary, but Ms. Haley emerged as the strongest candidate against President Biden, with an 8-point lead with 53 percent support compared to President Biden’s 45 percent.
The survey suggests that Haley garners more backing among moderates and independent voters than President Trump and Mr. DeSantis. Notably, 59 percent of independent voters express support for Ms. Haley, while Mr. DeSantis and President Trump receive 55 percent and 54 percent, respectively.
In a head-to-head matchup, Mr. DeSantis secures 51 percent support against Biden’s 48 percent, while President Trump would likely receive 50 percent support over President Biden’s 48 percent.
—Savannah PointerTrump Appeals to Ramaswamy Voters
President Donald Trump, getting going with posts on Truth Social on the morning of Jan. 15, pounded opponent Vivek Ramaswamy in one of them. Mr. Ramaswamy, lagging behind Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley among President Trump’s opponents and failing to qualify for the most recent debate, has been the Republican candidate most supportive of the former president. That suggested President Trump was aiming at Republicans generally happy with his record but wavering in the tech entrepreneur’s direction.
“A vote for Vivek is a wasted vote,” he said in one post in all capital letters. “I like Vivek, but he played it too ‘cute’ with us. Caucus tonight, vote for Donald J. Trump, build up the numbers! In November, we must take our very troubled nation—a nation in decline—back from Crooked Joe Biden and the radical left Democrats and thugs who are destroying it. MAGA!”
He was amplifying a theme from a previous post on Jan. 14, which marked the first time he attacked the entrepreneur.
“Vivek started his campaign as a great supporter, ’the best president in generations,‘ etc. Unfortunately, now all he does is disguise his support in the form of deceitful campaign tricks. Very sly, but a vote for Vivek is a vote for the ’other side'—don’t get duped by this. Vote for ”Trump,“ don’t waste your vote! Vivek is not MAGA. The Biden indictments against his political opponent will never be allowed in this country, they are already beginning to fall! MAGA!”
—Dan. M BergerWhat to Know About Tonight’s Iowa Caucuses
The caucuses are the first national election of presidential hopefuls. The Hawkeye State’s GOP will choose between four major Republican candidates: former President Donald Trump, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.How Does the Caucus Work?
Both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party have local party meetings across the state. The state of Iowa is not involved in the process.Caucuses are meetings of neighbors to conduct the local business of their political parties. Iowa’s 1,765 precincts will convene a caucus at a set time on a set day ahead of the U.S. midterm and general elections. There are 728 caucus sites across the state.
The party meetings include deliberation on the party platform and other local business, then a presidential preference poll. Typically, before the poll, there are brief speeches made on behalf of the candidates by their so-called caucus captains. Sometimes, the candidates themselves will show up to speak.
In a primary election, secret ballots are cast all day and then tabulated by state election officials. At caucuses, ballots are cast and then counted immediately in full view of all at the caucus. The results are then reported to the state party.
The results of the presidential preference poll are used to assign delegates to each candidate. This plays a role in the nomination process at the party’s convention.
When Does It Start?
The caucuses begin at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time. Some events will be over in less than an hour, while others will last for hours. The average time of the event is about 90 minutes.When Will the Results Come In?
A typical caucus meeting includes a call to order, a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, the election of a caucus chair, and then the presidential preference poll. After the poll is taken, the votes are counted, other party business is carried out, and then the meeting adjourns.The major parties record the votes both on paper and electronically. The caucus’s results are sent to the party headquarters immediately, and the paper results are delivered later.
Who Can Caucus?
According to the Republican Party of Iowa, to participate in its caucus, a voter must be a legal resident of Iowa and a registered Republican voter in the state. Iowans can register to vote as a Republican on caucus night.Caucusgoers are asked to bring a valid form of ID and arrive early. A new voter must bring proof of address, too.
