The Republican presidential race in Iowa is intensifying, with 13 candidates making their way to Des Moines for the Lincoln Dinner. Former President Donald Trump maintains a substantial lead in both national and statewide polls. While sharing the stage with his opponents in Iowa, Trump made it clear that he might not attend the first Republican debate, stating on social media, “Let them debate so I can see who I MIGHT consider for Vice President!” However, Trump is currently facing increasing legal pressure as prosecutors add new charges against him for mishandling classified documents. Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump’s main challenger, is rebooting his campaign by embarking on a bus tour across Iowa in an effort to secure more support. Here are the highlights from the weekend and the Lincoln Dinner.
DeSantis started his bus tour in Iowa, organized by the Never Back Down super PAC, despite his campaign recently laying off several staffers. The bus tour raised questions as super PACs are prohibited from coordinating with campaigns. DeSantis made stops in rural Iowa, visiting local businesses, nonprofits, a county fair, and engaging in interviews with reporters. He carefully navigated between criticizing Trump’s legal problems and accusing Democrats of targeting Trump for political reasons. DeSantis acknowledged the need to modify his campaign approach, focusing more on personal contact with voters. He emphasized that the voters’ interests in the future were his main priority.
However, DeSantis’ campaign reboot was overshadowed by a controversy over new curriculum standards in Florida that suggested slaves developed skills for personal benefit. This led to arguments with Sen. Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate. Scott pointed out the realities of slavery and urged DeSantis to reconsider how Black history is taught. DeSantis stood by the curriculum, stating that false narratives and lies perpetuated by the Left hinder the country’s progress.
In his speech at the Lincoln Dinner, Trump directed most of his attacks towards DeSantis, downplaying his own legal charges and emphasizing that he faced scrutiny only because he was running for president. Trump received the loudest cheers and a standing ovation from the crowd, while two candidates, Asa Hutchinson and Will Hurd, directly criticized him for his legal woes. Hutchinson warned that Trump could be on trial during the Iowa caucuses next January.
Notably absent from the Lincoln Dinner was former N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, another Trump critic who is focusing on the early GOP primary states of New Hampshire and South Carolina. Vivek Ramaswamy, a political outsider, proposed a revolution against the federal government, calling for the shutdown of corrupt federal agencies. He criticized other GOP candidates for only promising reform.
The candidates also took the opportunity to criticize President Joe Biden’s handling of the situation involving his grandchild. Nikki Haley jokingly suggested that the number of grandchildren a person has could be a question on a mental competency test for lawmakers. Mike Pence, in response to Biden’s acknowledgement of his grandchild, stated that it was “important” and welcomed the president’s recognition.
Pence also made headlines by calling for a transgender ban in the military, arguing that it erodes unit cohesion and affects recruitment. He also advocated for a federal abortion ban at 15 weeks.
Overall, the Republican presidential race in Iowa saw various contenders engaging in spirited debates and staking their claims as viable alternatives to Trump.
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