With the important first-in-nation caucuses less than two months away, Republican candidates have ramped up their presence in the Hawkeye State.
FORT DODGE, Iowa–Hours before former President Donald Trump took the stage here, his campaign sent out a text message declaring his intent: “I’m in Iowa today to wrap up the primary.”
Speaking to a full house of about 3,000 people at the Fort Dodge Senior High School gymnasium on Nov. 18, the former president reminded folks that the Hawkeye State’s first-in-nation caucuses were just 58 days away. “All over the world, they’re going to be watching this,” he said, adding, “We want to make sure we have a big victory.”
A man who has attended 33 Trump rallies nationwide, Charles Hibbs, 68, of South Dakota, said this Iowa crowd was among the most enthusiastic he has witnessed. After welcoming him with a thunderous “USA! USA!” standing ovation, most of the crowd remained standing for about 20 more minutes as the former president spoke.
Random cries and chants of “We Love You!” punctuated President Trump’s 80-minute speech. As he was winding down, President Trump told the crowd that Iowa is “special” to him. Then he did something unusual.
Instead of exiting swiftly,