DAVENPORT, Iowa — Months of dogged political maneuvering on the campaign trail have culminated in a high-stakes clash between Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley for the No. 1 spot to replace Donald Trump.
The newspaper spoke to dozens of DeSantis and Haley voters across the nation's No. 1 state in the week leading up to the Jan. 15 caucuses.
Although polls show Trump remains the Republican front-runner, people attending DeSantis and Haley's campaign events say they are fed up with Trump's “mess” and see themselves as candidates to beat President Biden. I tend to think of myself as a lifelong Republican looking for.
While some say DeSantis and Haley are the frontrunners, many voters say they are waiting until caucus day to make a final decision and will vote strategically at the polls. ing.
Those who lean toward either side cite the following reasons:
DeSantis voters
Voters who say they are likely to vote for Florida's governor often mention his successful record as governor, followed by his pro-life policies and family style.
His support in the state is backed by support from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, and some voters say DeSantis' promise to hit all 99 counties has influenced their view of him. points out.
Brett Altman, CEO of a local hospital in Atlantic, Iowa, said he is committed to DeSantis largely because of Reynolds' support and his “impressive” public image. he said.
“The first person who impressed me was his wife Casey. He impressed me and our governor supports DeSantis. I have a personal and professional relationship with the governor. I have and I respect her,” Altman told the Post. “He has a similar track record in Florida as Governor Reynolds has in Iowa. They are young families with young children who want what is best for their families and all of us in America. Masu.”
Iowa voters Buffy and Ian Barrs, who attended DeSantis' event in Atlantic, Iowa, said they don't have 100% approval of the governor, but they do appreciate his pro-life policies. He said.
They were also looking for the best person to replace President Trump.
Republican Ian Barrs said he was “leaning” toward DeSantis for “policy” and “pragmatic” reasons.
He believes DeSantis has a “better chance of winning” compared to Haley and likes his performance at Florida.
“I think he would probably be an effective ‘small’ Conservative president. I'm not as conservative as some of my friends. I tend to be more realistic about many issues. But there are also some issues that are very important to me, such as the rule of law, the expansion of federal executive power… and the sanctity of life.” Haley added that he would “adjust” his own views on abortion. He claimed that
“I'm not going to vote for Mr. DeSantis, but I'm definitely not going to vote for Mr. Trump,” Buffy Bars said. “Honestly, I might just strategically vote for someone just to see where my particular field is voting.”
Another Iowa voter at the Atlantic event said he was tired of President Trump and that DeSantis could implement many of the same policies “without the noise.”
“I'm just constantly tired of the division in our country and I don't want to look at what's happened over the last four years. Governor DeSantis is the type of candidate I want and who shares my values. I think he’s the most representative,” the voter said, noting DeSantis’ accomplishments in Florida.
The latest Iowa poll shows DeSantis in third place with 16%, behind Haley (20%) and Trump (48%).
Haley voters
Caucus participants supporting the former U.N. ambassador are likely to cite her foreign policy and experience supporting Ukraine and Israel.
Haley is the most hawkish candidate in the Republican race, but other candidates like DeSantis have embraced a more “America First” position.
Police Chief John Weiss, 58, from Hudson, favors Haley over DeSantis because of his international experience and feels the Florida governor is “throwing bulls instead of red meat.” There is.
“[DeSantis] To call it a regional conflict is completely naive. And I think Nicki gets it right. It’s peace through strength and not giving cash to anyone,” Weiss said.
Others are betting on Haley over DeSantis. Because she believes she has the best chance of winning.
“I think she has a real chance. She's a great candidate. If she wins the nomination, she'll blow away any Democrat,” said Edward Wildanger, 70, of Iowa City. said.
“I'm glad that [DeSantis] Too. But I don't think he has the same chance of getting a national pick as Nikki Haley. ”
Jeff Sell, 62, of Cedar Rapids, has supported Trump in the past and is between Haley and the 45th president. But Haley's event in Cedar Rapids on Saturday got him thinking.
“President Trump always thinks it's going to be a four-year revenge tour, but that's not going to happen,” he said. “We need a president for eight years.”
Philip Herman, a longtime Republican voter who can't stand Trump's “chaos” anymore, said he has a 90% chance of voting for Haley.
“I narrowed it down to DeSantis and Haley, and I've seen both of them live, and I think she has a better understanding of foreign policy,” Herman said at Ankeny. He spoke to the Post at Haley's event.
“For me, that's the deciding factor. I think they're both great. I think they can both lead. I've watched their work as governors, and it's very important to get foreign policy right right now.” is important.”
Vince Neuendorp voted for Trump in the past, but now sees him as too “divisive” and carrying baggage for the future.
To him, Haley is a “very impressive” figure, and DeSantis will “need to do everything in his power” to convince Haley to disagree by Monday.
“I appreciate almost everything she said. I appreciate her honesty, honesty, and transparency. I appreciate that she wants to communicate with us. “I do,” Neuendorp said. “I was 50-50 before coming here today between DeSantis. I'm meeting Ron tomorrow and he's going to give it his all because I'm so impressed.”
Jack Nolin, who voted for the first time at DeSantis' event in Ames, said he was “divided” between DeSantis and Haley and said foreign policy would be the deciding factor.
“I'm still divided between DeSantis and Nikki Haley, but will this convince me? I'm a national security tycoon, so I don't want to give money to Ukraine or give money to Israel.” “We offer a wide variety of services,” Nolin said.
Both Haley and DeSantis are sprinting to gain enough “momentum” to advance to New Hampshire and beyond.
Their allies hope that if they defeat other candidates and move away from a one-on-one relationship with Trump, they can break the former president's advantage.
