Early primary contests have often swayed presidential races, tiring frontrunners and bolstering tough challengers. Even as Iowa confronts harsh temperatures below 0 degrees, former President Donald Trump's Republican competitors sought to win Hawkeye State caucuses this year.
But how did the race in Iowa become such a significant obstacle for those running for the White House? In what ways are contenders for the Republican Party making their closing pitches?
With 91 criminal accusations against him, former President Donald Trump is mounting an unusual campaign for the White House. He is hopping between rallies and court appearances in order to prepare for his next election.
His four current judicial fights might result in a conviction before the 2024 general election. A new Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Poll reveals that a majority of potential Republican caucusgoers think a Trump conviction would not alter their support before Monday's first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucuses.
A possible conviction “does not matter” in determining his general election support, say 61%. Nineteen percent believe a conviction would increase their support for Trump, while 18% say it would decrease it. 2 percent are unsure.
On Sunday, “The Good Liars” disrupted Texas businessman and preacher Ryan Binkley's Republican presidential campaign gathering. The pair interrupted GOP candidates Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy's weekend rallies.
One of the duo approached the stage during Binkley's Sunday night event at a hotel near Des Moines International Airport and said, “There's a candidate that really needs your vote, and that candidate is me because I need to become president and pardon myself,” referring to frontrunner and former President Donald Trump.
His poor place in the polls was interpreted by him as a sign that there is only space for improvement, and he stated that "something is missing" from the other contenders, whether it be in their personality, message, style, or platform respectively.
Former Libertarian Iowa attorney general and governor Marco Battaglia moderated the discussion, which featured presidential contenders economist Mike ter Maat, internet entrepreneur Lars Mapstead, former Georgia Senate candidate Chase Oliver, and Joshua Smith. It was offered to the public as a last minute attempt to get third-party voters to caucus.