Curt Flewelling, FISM News
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Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump will be holding competing events today in the Hawkeye State. Iowa is critically important for both men as the state will be holding its first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses in early 2024.
This marks the first time that the two GOP rivals are courting voters in the same state at the same time. Trump will be holding a rally in Des Moines on Saturday evening while DeSantis will be holding events in Sioux Center and Cedar Rapids.
Although not yet an official candidate, the Florida governor is likely to formally announce his presidential intentions in a few days. Trump currently maintains a healthy lead over DeSantis in most major polls.
However, a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll found that Republicans viewed both candidates in a positive light. Trump is seen in a favorable light by 80% of pollees (44% very favorably and 36% mostly favorably). DeSantis is looked on favorably by 75% of Iowans (42% very favorably and 33% mostly favorably).
Although Trump has racked up numerous endorsements in Iowa, DeSantis has recently garnered the endorsements of two prominent Iowa Republicans. Senate President Amy Sinclair told the Des Moines Register, “DeSantis stands ‘head and shoulders’ above the rest of the field. This is an easy endorsement for me.”
House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl echoed his colleagues’ praise for the governor.
He told the same outlet, “We need a leader that’s looking forward towards the future, not a leader that’s looking in the rearview mirror and potentially going to be vindictive towards other people.”
DeSantis continues to rely on surrogates to cite Trump’s numerous legal troubles, choosing to highlight his record in The Sunshine State instead. The former president, on the other hand, seems to actually be getting stronger as a candidate amidst his legal challenges and is doubling down on his brash, bombastic style of politicking.
Polling does indeed indicate that Donald Trump’s widespread popularity, particularly among MAGA Republicans, is helping him weather a myriad of distractions that would typically bury any political candidate.
Trump is well aware of his charisma and perhaps his opponent’s lack thereof. He told prospective Iowa voters, “The problem with Ron Desanctimonious is that he needs a personality transplant, and those are not yet available.”