(Maquoketa) Donald Trump launched a fall crowd tour Wednesday to shore up his Republican caucus support in Iowa, where the former president faces extremely high expectations in his campaign for a return to the White House .
Having campaigned far less frequently in Iowa than many of his rivals, Mr. Trump was making the first of five planned visits to the state between now and the end of October. The visits are aimed at converting what polls in Iowa show is a commanding lead in terms of committed supporters and volunteers. Mr. Trump’s campaign is trying to secure a landslide victory that would rob his rivals of momentum and effectively end the primary on caucus day.
“In less than four months, we will win the Iowa caucuses in a historic landslide,” Donald Trump predicted as he addressed a crowd of more than 1,000 people in the small town of Maquoketa. He urged those in attendance to support him at the Jan. 15 caucuses and asked them to bring friends to vote for him.
In 2016 Donald Trump finished just behind Texas Senator Ted Cruz in Iowa. The candidate mentioned his 2016 defeat at the start of his speech, blaming his previous campaign team.
Donald Trump’s campaign is aiming to collect cards signed by crowds pledging to support him during the Jan. 15 caucuses. Although these cards do not tie voters to a candidate, they provide campaigns with valuable contact information for getting out the vote and recruiting volunteers and precinct leaders.
At a second event in Dubuque, Mr. Trump addressed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, whom he has long treated as his main target, as he touted his administration’s efforts to help farmers in Iowa and crack down on illegal immigration.
Before leaving town, Donald Trump stopped at Kathy’s Treehouse Pub and Eatery. More than a hundred people gathered in the bar of the Bettendorf restaurant, where Mr. Trump signed dollar bills, ball caps and the tank top — and later, the arm — of a restaurant waitress. place.
Mr. Trump has visited Iowa seven times this year, headlining political and political events, and he stopped at his campaign office in July. Mr. Trump chose not to attend multi-candidate events in Iowa hosted by influential social conservative groups.
More recently, his events have become more like photo ops, including stopping at an Iowa State fraternity house to toss footballs and shake hands before attending the Iowa State game. college football this month.
Before that, Mr. Trump drew crowds at the Iowa State Fair in August. He brought members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida to intimidate Mr. DeSantis, who was visiting the fair that same day.
Donald Trump remains the front-runner for the Republican nomination, even though he faces four separate counts that have resulted in dozens of criminal charges.
“The truth is that Mr. Trump has a durable lead in Iowa,” said Republican strategist David Kochel, an Iowa veteran and national Republican strategist.
Tracie Kelly, a 48-year-old mother who homeschools her children, attended the event with her husband and family. After filling out his commitment card to Mr. Trump, Mr.me Kelly called him “the right person to do the right thing.”
In particular, she highlighted the appointment of the three United States Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade, allowing states to adopt strict abortion restrictions. Mr. Trump has refused to commit to pursuing a national ban on abortion, angering some conservatives. Butme Kelly said it didn’t bother her.
“He may not always say the right things, but he speaks on behalf of our beliefs,” she said.