We should attempt that. Unless we do it, let them criticize us, right? Trump told Des Moines volunteers Sunday morning. But he said, “Let’s see if we can get to 50%.“ Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has invested heavily on Iowa, oozed confidence in national interviews as they fight for a caucus showing that will strengthen their campaigns even if they don't beat Trump.
Trump led the latest Des Moines Register/NBC News survey before Monday's caucuses by nearly 50%, compared to 20% for Haley and 16% for DeSantis. Haley and DeSantis are still tied for second. “With our folks, they’re committed, they’re gonna be there,” DeSantis said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” stressing that the Republican calendar doesn’t finish with Iowa. “We’ll have fun tonight.”
A Saturday snowfall left several Iowa roads coated in snow, even though the sun was out. Temperatures lingered around 0 degrees Fahrenheit all day and weren't expected to climb until Tuesday. The coldest weather since Iowa began presidential selection in 1976 disrupted plans. Iowans can tolerate cold weather if the roads aren't ice, according to Iowa Republican Party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann.
Haley canceled a Sunday morning visit in Dubuque one hour before it was scheduled due to traffic difficulties from Des Moines. She switched to online town hall. Campaign officials informed voters entering the venue and handed them a T-shirt, cap, or yard sign as consolation.
“I don’t blame her,” said 69-year-old Asbury retiree John Schmid, a few miles outside Dubuque. Haley fan wanted to witness the “refreshing” contender in person. He stated, “It’s just part of living in Iowa in January.” Haley attended an event in Ames, a college town near Des Moines.
“It’s been 11 months, and it comes down to tomorrow,” Haley said of Monday’s elections, renewing her plea for GOP voters to pick her as a “new generational leader that leaves the negativity and the baggage behind and focuses on the solutions of the future.”
Trump continues to gain support among inactive Republicans. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who failed to catch fire in the GOP primary race, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio backed him Sunday. Rubio chose Trump over his home state governor DeSantis and Haley, who backed him at a pivotal point in his 2016 presidential campaign.
Some voters also waited until the last minute to decide. Judy Knowler, 64, of Peosta wanted to visit Haley to help her decide. “I have one foot in Nikki’s camp but we’ll see,” she remarked in Dubuque. It's rare for Americans to get this close.”
Trump and Burgum visited a Casey's convenience shop in Waukee after his speech and bought pizzas that a worker called “the best you'll ever have.” He then distributed pizza to a firehouse, talked to first responders about their vehicles, took photos, and ate a slice.