Leading Republican presidential candidates have high hopes for next week's Iowa caucuses, insisting they still have a chance to beat former President Donald Trump, who has a more than 30-point lead, according to average polling. ing.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley are both vying to be potential replacements for Trump. DeSantis has vowed to compete for the championship, but Haley has been vague about her ultimate ambitions.
Despite his low poll numbers, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy also insists he will do well in the January 15 election, with his publicist Tricia McLaughlin telling the Post that The candidate declared, “This will be a shock to the system.''
An average of polls taken before the holidays showed Trump with 51.3% support, followed by DeSantis with 18.6% and Haley with 16.1%.
Mr. Ramaswamy's average approval rating was just 5.9%, followed by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who had an average approval rating of 3.7% despite abandoning Iowa in favor of New Hampshire.
desantis gambling
Mr. DeSantis has long been seen as Mr. Trump's biggest rival and is most bet on a strong showing in the caucuses.
He has poured most of his resources into Iowa, moving much of his staff to Des Moines, visiting all of the state's 99 counties and investing in door-knocking and vote-eliciting efforts.
On New Year's Eve, the 45-year-old governor called on his West Des Moines supporters in 2024 to “work hard over the next two weeks and win the Iowa caucuses.”
An unlikely victory would undermine Mr. Trump's aura of inevitability and encourage voters in New Hampshire and especially South Carolina to give Mr. DeSantis a second look at what his campaign claims is a “two-man” race. there is a possibility.
“We believe the people of Iowa will reward our approach on the night of January 15th,” a representative for DeSantis told the Post in recent days.
Meanwhile, a loss in Iowa and close fourth- and third-place finishes in New Hampshire and South Carolina, respectively, could spell the end of the Florida native's once-promising campaign. There is.
President Trump's shopping spree
Meanwhile, President Trump intends to end the nomination race before most voters even have a chance to be heard.
The 77-year-old's campaign has asked surrogates to persuade new caucus attendees to vote through the “10 for Trump” program, aiming to boost their vote share in the Jan. 15 vote. I'm calling out.
The former president has campaigned in Iowa far less often than his competitors, but he has drawn larger audiences and more enthusiasm. President Trump also continues to refuse to attend debates, saying he will attend a Fox News town hall event in Des Moines on Jan. 10 rather than the CNN debate between Haley and DeSantis in the city. chose to participate.
“Right now, everyone is fighting for second place in Iowa and New Hampshire. How well they fare in those two states will be revealed in South Carolina's vote on February 24th,” Republican Strategist said. Dave Wilson told the Post.
Rise of Hayley
Although the former South Carolina governor has tried to downplay her position, her supporters have made it clear they want her to finish at least second in Iowa.
If Haley performs well, enough New Hampshire voters could support her over Trump in the Granite State's Jan. 23 primary. Especially since several recent polls have shown Haley well within striking distance of the state's former president.
In December, Haley said she needed to do “good” at Hawkeye State, but did not elaborate.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, the 51-year-old's biggest supporter, raised hopes last week, saying she had a “strong second place” in Iowa and could win in her home state. Made it more clear.
Haley has strong support from outside groups, who have flocked to Iowa in recent months.
Americans for Prosperity, a super PAC funded by Charles Koch and supporting Haley, has assigned “thousands” of agents to doorknock and “supplement efforts on the ground. It promised a major postal, digital and television campaign.
AFP Action spokesman Bill Riggs called the race a “marathon, not a sprint” and said their efforts could put Haley in “second or third place,” but he still won the race in New Hampshire. , South Carolina, and will be well prepared for Super Tuesday on March 5th.
AdImpact data shows Haley's campaign is outspending other rivals in ad spending.
SFA Fund Inc., the super PAC supporting Haley, has spent $27 million in Iowa, the most of any support group. Her supporters also spent the most, totaling $31 million, $300,000 more than her pro-DeSantis allies.
The only thing working against Haley may be her own mouth after she told New Hampshire voters last week that she would “fix” the Iowa results.
“Telling New Hampshire voters something like that while Iowans are still trying to make up their minds would materially hurt those attending the Iowa caucuses.” Wilson insisted. “This is the 2024 presidential election. Every word you say matters.”
