Former U.N. Ambassador Haley is making her case to some last-minute undecided caucusgoers — and winning over at least one, while Iowa Republican Steve Kessler sat in a sports bar awaiting an appearance by DeSantis, but he was still undecided about whom he would support. The criminal charges against Trump have done little damage to his reputation among Republicans headed to Monday night’s Iowa caucuses, according to AP VoteCast. About three-quarters of caucusgoers say the charges are political attempts to undermine him, rather than legitimate attempts to investigate important issues.
Quick Read
- Haley Gaining Support: Nikki Haley is persuading undecided caucusgoers, including Chris Varney, who decided to support her after her campaign stop at PB’s Pub.
- Eric Trump’s Confidence: Eric Trump predicts a successful night for his father, former President Donald Trump, citing widespread enthusiasm and support across Iowa.
- Kessler’s Deliberation: Iowa Republican Steve Kessler, attending a DeSantis event, remains undecided but leans towards Nikki Haley or Vivek Ramaswamy, expressing some reservations about DeSantis’ charisma.
- Desire for Governmental Change: AP VoteCast reveals that Iowa GOP caucusgoers overwhelmingly seek major changes in federal government operations, with many wanting a complete overhaul.
- Election and Legal System Skepticism: About 40% of caucusgoers lack confidence in the integrity of U.S. elections, and nearly 60% have little to no confidence in the U.S. legal system.
- Trump’s Legal Issues: Despite multiple criminal charges against Trump, about 75% of Republican caucusgoers view these as politically motivated attempts to undermine him, with a quarter acknowledging possible illegal activities.
The Associated Press has the story:
Haley wins over an undecided Iowa caucusgoer, others are unbothered by charges against Trump
Newslooks- NEWTON — IOWA (AP)
Former U.N. Ambassador Haley is making her case to some last-minute undecided caucusgoers — and winning over at least one.
During her third stop of a final pre-caucus push in PB’s Pub, Haley asked for a showing of hands from those who hadn’t yet made up their minds.
“We’ve got one guy,” she said, seeing Chris Varney raise his hand in the back.
After giving brief remarks and telling Iowans that “It’s go time,” Varney got a chance to speak with Haley.
“OK, she got me,” Varney said, prompting cheers from other attendees.
Eric Trump predicts ‘great night’ for his father
DES MOINES — The former president’s son is calling it now: It will be a “great night” for Team Trump.
He told The Associated Press hours before Iowa’s kickoff caucuses: “Everywhere I show up, there’s hundreds and hundreds of people, and they’re all wearing the Make America Great Again hats and carrying American flags.”
He says, “I think we’re going to have a great night.”
He says that he’s seen tremendous enthusiasm across the state for his father and that Republican voters are eager for a return to Trump’s policies.
Waiting for DeSantis but leaning toward other candidates
CEDAR RAPIDS — Iowa Republican Steve Kessler sat in a sports bar awaiting an appearance by DeSantis, but he was still undecided about whom he would support.
“I like to take my time,” the 65-year-old retired electrical engineer said at Jerseys Pub & Grub.
But it wasn’t looking good for DeSantis.
“My heart is with Vivek because of his rambunctiousness,” Kessler said. “But I’m tempted to vote for Nikki to show my anti-Trump feelings.”
Why not DeSantis? “He’s not that charismatic,” he said. “But I figured I should see him before I go to caucus.”
Kessler was headed straight from the DeSantis event to his caucus site in Coralville, about 30 miles south of Cedar Rapids.
Iowa GOP caucusgoers say no to the status quo
DES MOINES — Iowa GOP caucusgoers want sweeping changes to how the federal government is run, according to AP VoteCast.
About 3 in 10 say they are seeking a complete and total upheaval. An additional 6 in 10 caucusgoers say they want substantial changes.
Most caucusgoers trust Iowa elections, but about 4 in 10 are not too confident or not at all confident in the integrity of U.S. elections. Nearly 6 in 10 have little to no confidence in the U.S. legal system.
Most Iowa GOP caucusgoers are unbothered by charges against Trump
DES MOINES — The criminal charges against Trump have done little damage to his reputation among Republicans headed to Monday night’s Iowa caucuses, according to AP VoteCast.
About three-quarters of caucusgoers say the charges are political attempts to undermine him, rather than legitimate attempts to investigate important issues.
Still, about a quarter say Trump has done something illegal when it comes to at least one of the ongoing legal cases he’s facing: his role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, his alleged attempts to interfere in the vote count in the 2020 presidential election or the discovery of classified documents at his Florida home that were supposed to be in government custody.
