Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Rivals look for path to halt Trump
Former president blazes own Iowa trail
DES MOINES, Iowa — Having stood out in two presidential debates, Nikki Haley booked her largest venue in Iowa since launching her campaign — a 600-person hall in a western Des Moines suburb on Saturday.
That would be a huge number for most of her rivals. It’s also less than the smallest crowds usually drawn by Donald Trump, who is dominating the Republican field for the 2024 Iowa caucuses less than four months away.
The former president will be in rural southeast Iowa the following day to headline an organizing event. Aides were expecting at least 1,000 to attend.
In essence, there are two Iowa campaigns underway: Trump is holding fewer, bigger events that demonstrate the strength of his organization and grip on GOP base voters, while his rivals attend the state’s traditional candidate forums and meet-and-greets, searching for ways to cut into his lead or consolidate second place.
While things could change before the Jan. 15 caucuses, some campaigns are trying to shift expectations. They’re hoping a close runner-up to Trump in Iowa could begin consolidating support and force others out.
■ Campaign overspending and donor jitters prompted Florida Gov. Ron Desantis to shake up his organization and narrow a broad, national approach to one increasingly focused on Iowa. His national support has slipped substantially from its high point earlier this year.
Desantis hired David Polyansky as a senior deputy campaign manager in August. Polyansky is a top strategist with Iowa chops from past presidential campaigns. He was working for Never Back Down, the super PAC supporting Desantis.
Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal strategy, two Desantis advisers suggest he could
survive three second-place finishes — in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina — and try to force a head-to-head matchup with Trump ahead of March’s Super Tuesday slate of primaries.
Desantis has already visited twothirds of Iowa’s counties, Polyansky said in an interview. The candidate pledged earlier this year to visit all 99, a goal that could net extra support and allow him to shore up more populous counties down the stretch.
■ Haley’s team pumped up expectations going into Wednesday’s second debate and hopes her energetic performance — including several tussles with rivals — translates to a rise in polls.
Toiling before smaller crowds throughout the spring and summer, Haley, the former United Nations ambassador and governor of South Carolina, drew a noticeably more robust 400 to stops in rural eastern Iowa this month.
■ Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., was striding toward the midway at the Iowa State Fair this summer when a man approached from behind to tell him, “I’ve seen your ads.”
He wasn’t alone. Scott’s campaign and the super PAC supporting him have combined to spend roughly $10 million in advertising this year introducing Scott to Iowans, about a quarter of all GOP caucus campaign and super PAC ad spending, according to Adimpact.
The South Carolina senator’s team argues Iowans are more familiar with him through advertising and ready to see him emerge in the upclose settings that are traditionally critical here.
■ Long before he grabbed attention at the first debate, Vivek Ramaswamy was working hard in Iowa.
The 38-year-old entrepreneur has traveled the state more than any candidate, holding nearly 70 campaign events. He’s gotten buzz for his youth and charisma, his lack of political background, and a brashness that reminds some people of Trump. Some Iowans have also voiced unfavorable impressions sparked by what some see as foreign policy naivete and lack of experience.
■ For a former vice president so closely identified with evangelical Christians, it would seem Mike Pence would have a leg up.
Yet Pence faces distinct challenges.
Among the most stubborn is the lingering — and false — perception that Pence could have refused to certify the 2020 election.
Pence faces stubbornly high unfavorable ratings in Iowa among likely GOP caucusgoers.
Still, Pence was on track to top 60 campaign stops by the end of next week.