Hoping to Make an Impact at Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Banquet, Rivals Avoid Direct Criticism of Trump on Abortion
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — In an attempt to woo evangelical Christians at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual banquet, several of Donald Trump’s top rivals chose to veer away from directly criticizing him on abortion and other social conservative issues.
The banquet, which is a significant event on the Republican primary calendar, was attended by a mostly muted crowd of over 1,000 pastors and activists after the former president decided not to participate. The event provided an opportunity for candidates trailing behind Trump to showcase their platforms.
The primary field’s differing views on abortion were evident at the banquet, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expressing a stance aligned with Trump’s, advocating for leaving abortion restrictions to the states. Former Vice President Mike Pence, on the other hand, referred to Trump as his “former running mate” and acknowledged his past opposition to a national abortion ban.
Pence’s push for a 15-week ban on abortion received tepid applause from the predominantly anti-abortion audience, highlighting concerns among some Republicans that Democrats are gaining ground on abortion rights following last year’s Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade.
DeSantis, who has struggled to establish himself as the leading contender behind Trump in the GOP primary, avoided endorsing a federal abortion ban and instead emphasized the states’ role in shaping legislation on the issue.
Similarly, Trump has refrained from supporting a federal ban and has urged Republicans to focus on state-level initiatives, cautioning against positions that do not align with the political mainstream.
Pence expressed his disagreement with Trump, asserting that all Republican presidential candidates should support a federal abortion ban starting at 15 weeks of gestation. He deemed it a timely idea that upholds the rights of the unborn across the nation.
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a frequent critic of Trump, took the opportunity to indirectly criticize him for his desire to appease both sides of the abortion debate, stating that “this is going to be a fight for life.” Surprisingly, there were no boos or negative reactions from the audience, which may be attributed to Faith and Freedom Coalition chairman Ralph Reed’s call for respectful conduct that honors both the candidates and Jesus Christ.
However, despite these criticisms, there was no consensus among the rivals regarding all issues. Hutchinson suggested caution in pursuing an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden, while Pence expressed support for such an effort.
The audience at the banquet consists of influential social conservatives who can significantly sway the outcome of Iowa’s first-in-the-nation Republican caucuses in January. Evangelical Republicans played a crucial role in Ted Cruz’s victory in the 2016 caucuses by responding to his appeals.
However, the current contenders face a formidable challenge as Trump has established a substantial lead in the early GOP primary race. Furthermore, he maintains strong support among evangelical Christians and social conservatives who appreciate his three Supreme Court justice appointments, which favored overturning Roe v. Wade.
Trump’s absence from events like this one — where thousands of evangelical conservatives gather — has raised concerns among some Iowa conservatives. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott added a touch of humor to the event, acknowledging rumors about his unidentified girlfriend and humorously calling her a “lovely Christian girl.” Scott then joked by saying, “Can we just pray together for me?”
DeSantis shared a personal anecdote about his wife’s battle with breast cancer and the power of prayer in her recovery. Opening up about personal faith has been a successful tactic for candidates in previous Iowa caucuses, including George W. Bush, who attributed his transformed heart to Jesus Christ.
While some attendees, like Robin and Jerry Star, credit Trump with the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, they also express concerns about his ability to unify the Republican Party sufficiently to defeat Biden in the general election. Nonetheless, they would still support Trump should he become the Republican nominee, with Jerry Star emphasizing the need for new leadership.
Overall, the banquet provided candidates with a platform to address key social issues such as abortion and religious faith, allowing them to appeal to the influential evangelical Christian base in Iowa.
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