DAVENPORT, Iowa – Months of dogged politicking on the campaign trail culminated in a high-stakes clash between Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley to be the number one alternative to Donald Trump.
The Post spoke to dozens of DeSantis and Haley voters across the nation’s first state in the week leading up to the Jan. 15 caucus.
Trump remains the GOP favorite in polls, but those who attend DeSantis and Haley’s campaign events tend to see themselves as lifelong Republicans who are fed up with Trump’s “chaos” and are looking for a candidate who defeat President Biden.
Some say both DeSantis and Haley are viable options, and many voters say they are waiting until caucus day to decide their final position and will vote strategically at the polls.
Those who lean towards one side or the other cite the following reasons:
The DeSantis voter
Voters who say they are likely to vote for Florida’s governor often cite his successful record as governor, followed by his pro-life policies and family-friendly image.
His support in the state is also bolstered by the endorsement of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, and some voters say DeSantis’ commitment to reaching all 99 counties influences how they perceive him.
Ron DeSantis speaks at a campaign event in Davenport, Iowa, on January 13, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
Brett Altman, CEO of a local hospital in Atlantic, Iowa, said he is committed to DeSantis in large part because of Reynolds’ endorsement and his “impressive” public image.
“His wife Casey was the first thing that impressed me. She impresses me and our governor supports DeSantis. “I have a personal and professional relationship with our governor and I respect her,” Altman told The Post. “They have had a similar record in Florida that Governor Reynolds had in Iowa. They are a young family with young children and they want the best for their kind and for all of us in America.”
Buffy and Ian Barrs, two Iowa voters who attended DeSantis’ event in Atlantic, Iowa, said they weren’t 100% on the governor but appreciated his pro-life policies.
They were also looking for the best alternative to Trump.
Iowa voters Ian and Buffy Barrs attend a DeSantis campaign event in Atlantic, Iowa. Diana Glebova/NY Post
Ian Barrs, who is a Republican, said he is “leaning” toward DeSantis for “political” and “pragmatic” reasons.
He believes DeSantis “has a better chance of winning” compared to Haley, and he likes what he has done in Florida.
“I think he would probably be an effective ‘small c’ conservative president. I’m not as conservative as some of my friends. I tend to be more pragmatic on many topics. But there are certain issues that are very important to me: the rule of law, the expansion of federal executive power… and sanctity of life issues,” he added, arguing that Haley is trying to “juggle” her points of view. view on abortion.
“I’m not determined to vote for DeSantis, but definitely not for Trump,” Buffy Barrs said. “Honestly, I may end up voting for someone strategically, just by seeing where my particular area votes.”
Another Iowa voter at the Atlantic event said he was tired of Trump and that DeSantis could pursue many of the same policies “without noise.”
Audience members listen as Republican presidential candidate and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign event at the Thunder Bay Grille on January 13, 2024 in Davenport, Iowa. Getty Images
“I’m tired of the division in the country all the time and I don’t think I want to see what happened in the last four years. “I think Governor DeSantis is the type of candidate I want and who best represents my values,” the voter said, highlighting what DeSantis has done in Florida.
According to the latest Iowa poll, DeSantis is in third place with 16%, behind Haley (20%) and Trump (48%).
The Haley Voter
Likely caucusgoers who favor the former U.N. ambassador often cite her foreign policy experience and support for Ukraine and Israel.
Haley is the toughest candidate in the Republican race, while others, like DeSantis, have taken a more “America First” stance.
John Weihs, 58, Hudson’s district captain, prefers Haley over DeSantis because of his international experience and feels the Florida governor is “throwing red meat.”
“[DeSantis] To say that this is a regional dispute is totally naïve. And I think Nikki did well. Peace through strength and not giving money to anyone,” Weihs said.
Republican presidential candidate and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign event at the Thunder Bay Grille on January 13, 2024 in Davenport, Iowa. Getty Images
Others are betting on Haley over DeSantis because they believe he has a better chance of winning.
“I think he has a real chance. She is a great candidate. I think if she gets the nomination, she’ll blow any Democrat out of the water,” said Edward Wildanger, 70, of Iowa City.
“I would be happy with [DeSantis] also. But I don’t think she has as much potential to win the national nomination as Nikki Haley.”
Jeff Sell, 62, of Cedar Rapids, has endorsed Trump in the past and is between Haley and the 45th president. But Haley’s event Saturday in Cedar Rapids got him thinking.
“I still think Trump will go on a four-year revenge tour and I can’t allow it,” he said. “I need to have an eight-year-old president.”
Icicles hang from the ceiling as people arrive at a campaign event held by Republican presidential candidate, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, at the Thunder Bay Grille on January 13, 2024 in Davenport, Iowa. Getty Images
Philip Herman, a lifelong Republican voter who can no longer stand Trump’s “chaos,” is 90% sure he will vote for Haley.
“I had a relationship between DeSantis and Haley, I’ve seen them both live and I think she understands foreign policy better,” Herman told The Post at a Haley event in Ankeny.
“For me, that’s the deciding factor. I think both would be great. I think they could both lead. “I’ve seen their work as governors, but foreign policy, to get it right, is really important right now.”
Vince Newendorp voted for Trump in the past, but now sees him as too “divisive” and full of baggage for the future.
For him, Haley is “very impressive” and DeSantis “will have to do everything possible” before Monday to convince him otherwise.
DeSantis speaks to supporters in Ames, Iowa, on Thursday, January 11, 2024. Diana Glebova/NY Post
“I appreciate almost everything he said. I appreciate his honesty, his authenticity, his transparency. I appreciate that he wants to communicate with us,” Newendorp said. “It was 50/50 before I got here today between DeSantis. I’m going to see Ron tomorrow but he’ll have to pull out all the stops because I’m so impressed.”
Jack Nolin, who voted for the first time at a DeSantis event in Ames, said he was “torn” between DeSantis and Haley, and that foreign policy would decide.
“I’m still torn between DeSantis and Nikki Haley, and I wonder if this will convince me. “I’m a big national security guy, so we fund Ukraine, we fund Israel,” Nolin said.
Both Haley and DeSantis are racing to gain enough “momentum” to take them to New Hampshire and beyond.
His allies hope that once they hypothetically defeat the other candidate and move on to a face-to-face with Trump, they can break through the former president’s foothold with the nod.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn