[ad_1]
He was in a very good mood and there were few signs that the legal issues surrounding him were causing stress. I went after Governor Ron DeSantis.
“I honestly don’t think he’ll do well here,” Trump said of DeSantis.
He also spoke to the press on numerous occasions and even gave the audience a chance to ask him questions. At times, it felt reminiscent of my 2016 run. That’s when he covered the airwaves and became a regular in the mainstream media on his way to a shocking primary and general election victory.
Personally, Trump made it clear to his team that he didn’t want to repeat what happened in Iowa in 2016. Ted CruzHe recalled to people that his daughter, Ivanka, had turned up at a caucuses location in Iowa, only to find the campaign almost non-existent.
Monday’s visit was the first attempt to avoid repeating these mistakes. That was just days after DeSantis made his Iowa debut. On this trip, he also visited Davenport, a city on the eastern border of the state and a regular stop for those seeking the White House. DeSantis is widely seen as Trump’s most formidable potential primary opponent, promoting his newly released memoir in a state that also happens to be the primary state. embarked on an early state tour to promote his memoir. After former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley ran for office last month, he visited the state to run for another candidate, the South Carolina Senate. Tim ScottI also recently stopped by Iowa.
The trip started with the ex-president boarding his own plane. The plane, dubbed the “Trump Force One” by his entourage, is complete with gold-embellished seats and a sound system that plays oldies and “The Phantom of the Opera.” — Shortly after 2pm West Palm His flight from his beach was accompanied by his senior advisors, including Susie Wiles, Chris La Civita, and Brian Jack. He was accompanied by Matt Whitaker, an Iowa native and acting attorney general.
Not everyone in Iowa is eager for a Trump comeback. Some of the state’s leading evangelical voting bloc were sober about her 2024 bid for Trump, who has been married three times. Bob Vander Platz, a longtime evangelical in the state who endorsed Cruz over Trump in 2016, even urged Trump to stay out of the 2024 race.
But Trump has been an early mover in the state, and his organization often plays a big role in determining the outcome of caucuses. He advocates for Iowa to remain his number one spot on the party’s nominating agenda, which is the most important reason for the state’s conservative activists, and has seen Iowa’s Republican nominee for the past two years. We have placed full-page advertisements in our publications. He featured Iowa Republican Speaker Jeff Kaufman at a rally in Sioux City last year and recently named Kaufman’s son, Rep. Bobby Kaufman, as a senior adviser. Also assisting are his two other Iowa operatives, Alex Latcham, and Eric Branstad, son of longtime Iowa Governor Terry Branstad.
Trump’s campaign is seen in many parts of the party as more experienced and prepared than the one he formed in 2016.
The current election is competitive: A poll released last week by the Des Moines Register showed Trump and DeSantis approval ratings nearly even among state Republicans, with 80% in favor of the former president. DeSantis had a favorable view, compared with 75%.
Speaking to reporters at Quad City International Airport after arriving, Trump expressed confidence in his prospects in Iowa, saying he won the state in the 2016 and 2020 general elections. He also expressed optimism that he would find support from the state’s Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, given that he had previously endorsed her. says she’s not committed to racing.She recently showed up with DeSantis, Hailey, and Scott.)
After leaving the airport, Trump headed to Davenport’s Machine Shed restaurant, where he took pictures with customers and asked how their meals were.
“They’re right about it,” Trump said, posing for a photo with a group of supporters wearing “Trump Won” T-shirts.
Then Trump’s motorcade meanders into the Adler Theater, where in front of a raucous audience of more than 3,500, Trump touts his record, attacks President Joe Biden, tweaks DeSantis, the governor He said he supported curbing agricultural subsidies and pushed for a reduction in qualification programs. The former president applauded for promising to protect Medicare and Social Security.
Trump’s team used the event to lay the groundwork for an organization in the state. Advisors said they plan to collect data such as names, homes, email addresses and mobile phone numbers and use that information to ensure supporters can attend upcoming events. annual caucuses.
David Kochel, a prominent Iowa-based Republican strategist and Trump critic, said that Trump “has a lot of potential, given that he’s a former president and he’s starting with a lot of key connections and a large base of support. We are in a position where we absolutely have to beat Iowa.” But Kochel added that victory was far from certain.
“There seem to be a lot of people who are keeping their options open to see who gets into the field,” Kochel said.
But another Republican strategist in the state, Nick Ryan, called Trump a “favourite,” given his past tenure.
“For someone to beat him, you have to offer a compelling alternative,” Ryan said. is.”
[ad_2]
Source link
