Former President Donald Trump Celebrates Court Victory in Iowa
By HANNAH FINGERHUT, JILL COLVIN and THOMAS BEAUMONT (Associated Press)
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Former President Donald Trump celebrated a win in a closely watched election case during a return visit to Iowa Saturday, where he blasted his political foes and encouraged his supporters to not move past their grievances with President Joe Biden.
Gigantic Court Victory for Trump
A Colorado judge Friday rejected an effort to keep the GOP front-runner off the state’s primary ballot. The judge concluded that Trump had engaged in insurrection during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. However, it was unclear whether a Civil War-era constitutional amendment barring insurrectionists from public office applied to the presidency. Trump hailed this ruling as a monumental win following similar cases in Minnesota and Michigan.
Defending Democracy
Trump, campaigning in west-central Iowa, fiercely criticized what he called “an outrageous attempt to disenfranchise millions of voters by getting us thrown off the ballot.” He accused his opponents of showing their hatred for democracy, igniting cheers from the crowd of approximately 2,000 supporters at a commit-to-caucus event in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Campaigning for Victory
Trump’s visit to Iowa was part of his fall push to secure supporters and volunteers before the state’s fast-approaching caucuses that will kick off the race for the Republican presidential nomination. This strategic move involved targeted regional stops to capitalize on the large crowds the former president attracts. He urged attendees to commit to voting for him and serving as precinct leaders on Jan. 15.
A Call to Action
Despite leading early polls of likely caucus participants, Trump implored the audience to turn out on caucus day to ensure a resounding victory. He emphasized that a strong showing would send a clear message to other candidates, urging them to drop out of the race.
Aggressive Campaigning in Iowa
While Trump maintains a comfortable lead over top rivals such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, his campaign has been more assertive in Iowa than in any other early-voting state. During his appearance in Iowa, Trump continued to attack both DeSantis and Haley, criticizing DeSantis’ past opposition to federal ethanol mandates and his decision to run against Trump.
Engaging with Iowans
DeSantis, campaigning across southern Iowa, criticized Trump’s approach of focusing on larger rallies and not engaging with Iowans on a personal level. He highlighted the importance of getting on the ground, shaking hands, and answering voters’ questions as a more effective strategy.
Iowa Voters Remain Loyal to Trump
Despite DeSantis’ efforts, many Iowans remain loyal to Trump. Dale Mason, a construction worker from Fort Dodge, expressed his unwavering support, stating, “Trump’s already proven himself to me. If it works, then why mess with it?” Sue Hewett, a resident of Fort Dodge, also praised Trump’s unique appeal and admitted to not being convinced by other candidates.
Trump’s Vision and Legal Challenges
Trump, in his speech, continued to portray President Biden as incompetent and weak while discussing his own potential second term. He reiterated his grievances about the 2020 election, despite numerous courts and election officials finding no evidence of widespread fraud. He also criticized the ongoing legal challenges he faces, including his civil fraud trial in New York.
Trump’s Commitment to Iowa
Trump has consistently made stops in Iowa as part of his 2024 campaign strategy, focusing on organizational efforts to secure victory. He aims to avoid a repeat of his second-place finish in the 2016 Iowa caucuses. Rival candidates, particularly DeSantis, have also made frequent visits to Iowa, hoping to achieve a better-than-expected outcome that could challenge Trump in subsequent contests.
Conclusion
Former President Donald Trump’s visit to Iowa marked a significant court victory and an opportunity to rally his supporters for the upcoming caucuses. He passionately defended democracy, urged a strong turnout on caucus day, and criticized his main rivals, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley. While Trump enjoys a comfortable lead in the polls, he faces challenges from determined competitors who seek to undermine his campaign. Nevertheless, Trump remains confident in his appeal to Iowans and his commitment to securing victory in 2024.
___ Colvin reported from New York.
Read More of this Story at www.lowellsun.com – 2023-11-19 00:33:23
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