As the 2024 race for the White House kicks off, Donald Trump and his Republican rivals are making final appeals to win support in Iowa. The former president is aiming for a resounding victory in Iowa to solidify his frontrunner status, while other candidates are vying to position themselves as the primary alternative to Trump.
In the last hours before voters in Iowa participate in the caucus, candidates are holding final events. However, frigid conditions, with temperatures forecasted to fall as low as -30C (-20F), are complicating the last days of campaigning. Despite the extreme cold, all candidates are urging voters to brave the weather and cast their preferences in the contest, emphasizing the importance of voter turnout.
The Iowa caucus marks the beginning of the state-by-state process that will eventually lead to the selection of a Republican nominee to likely challenge Joe Biden in the November general election. The outcome of the Iowa caucus is closely watched as it can set the tone for the rest of the primary season.
Iowa’s track record in accurately predicting the eventual Republican nominee has been inconsistent, with the state last doing so in 2000 when voters supported George W. Bush.
Donald Trump, eager to secure a resounding victory in Iowa, held a rally in Indianola on Sunday, urging his supporters to turn out and make history. Emphasizing the broader significance of the Iowa outcome, Trump stated, “The outcome in this state will send a message to the entire country and, in fact, the entire world.” the White House kicks
At 77 years old, the former president aims to deliver a decisive win over his challengers and set records in the process. During a virtual rally on Friday, Trump expressed his goal of achieving a substantial victory in Iowa. The state’s results will undoubtedly shape the narrative and momentum of the Republican primary race as it unfolds across the nation.
His campaign has relied heavily on its ground game, with regular “commit to caucus” events serving as trial runs for the real deal on Monday. These events, where Iowans are recruited by door knocking “caucus captains”, often include an animated video on how to caucus, a sign of how Mr Trump is hoping to mobilise first-time voters and win big.
The Trump campaign received a boost on Saturday evening with the release of a final poll from the Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom, indicating a nearly 30-point lead for Donald Trump in Iowa. This poll, closely watched in the lead-up to the caucus, showcased Nikki Haley, the former US ambassador to the UN, in second place, gaining momentum in the final days of campaigning.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has allocated significant resources to Iowa, slipped to third place in the poll. If DeSantis performs poorly in the caucus, there may be mounting pressure for him to drop out, making the Iowa outcome critical for his campaign and potentially reshaping the dynamics of the Republican primary race.