The upcoming Iowa caucuses are facing yet another challenge as frigid below zero temperatures are forecasted for the weekend and into next week. The blizzard conditions that hit Iowa earlier this week have already disrupted the presidential campaign trail, and now the bitterly cold weather threatens to put a chill on turnout at Monday night’s caucuses. While this is concerning for all candidates, Republican hopefuls like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis remain determined to overcome the weather and win votes.
Despite the harsh conditions, DeSantis held an early morning event on Friday in suburban Des Moines, impressing the crowd with his dedication. He emphasized that he will continue to campaign tirelessly, making use of every minute available to secure support. However, due to the challenging weather, his remaining campaign stops were postponed. On the other hand, former ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, canceled her in-person events and instead held tele-town halls that saw a good turnout.
Only multi-millionaire biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy kept to his campaign schedule, defying the dangerous weather. Donald Trump’s campaign, however, had to cancel three out of four in-person rallies scheduled for the weekend. The big question now is whether the below zero temperatures will significantly impact the turnout on Monday night.
Despite the uncertainty, DeSantis remains confident that his supporters will show up. Polls suggest that he is battling Haley for a distant second place in Iowa, trailing behind the commanding front-runner, Trump. DeSantis believes his motivated and passionate supporters will brave the cold to vote for him. Many of his supporters who attended his speech on Friday morning echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Iowans are resilient and can handle the weather.
Haley, speaking to supporters on a tele-town hall, acknowledged the challenging conditions but stressed the importance of going out to caucus. She reminded attendees to bring their identification and wear layers of clothing for their safety. Longtime Iowa GOP chair Jeff Kaufmann shared similar sentiments, expressing confidence that Iowans can handle the cold and will take the necessary precautions to keep themselves safe.
While the frigid temperatures may pose a challenge, candidates and their supporters remain determined to participate in the caucuses. With two days of clearing off the roads and no anticipated ice or wind, they are hopeful for a successful and well-attended event. The 2024 campaign trail continues to face numerous obstacles, but the resilience of the candidates and voters in Iowa is unwavering.
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