URBANDALE, Iowa — Longshot Republican presidential candidate Doug Burgum insists he’ll stay in the 2024 race at least long enough to “beat expectations” in January’s Iowa caucuses — a goal he joked should be easy to achieve, because he has the “lowest expectations.” “
The multi-millionaire North Dakota governor failed to qualify for a third RNC debate earlier this month, is unlikely to make the stage for the next debate on Dec. 6 in Alabama, and averages just 2.7% support in the Hawkeye State, according to RealClearPolitics — a mere 44.3 percentage points in behind former President Donald Trump.
So what, it might be fair to ask, is he still doing in this race?
“I am not running for a Cabinet position. I don’t sell books,” the 67-year-old Burgum told The Post after meeting with about 30 Iowans behind the Pizza Ranch restaurant in suburban Des Moines Monday night.
The governor continued to insist his views on the economy, energy and national security make him the best potential commander-in-chief of anyone in the field — and argued the Republican National Committee’s metrics for debate eligibility should take into account farming experience.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum met with possible Iowa caucus participants Monday in Des Moines, Urbandale and Fontanelle.NY Post
“We will be on the ballot and people will be able to caucus for us in January. Here and in New Hampshire, absolutely, positively,” said Burgum, who argued “the political pundits and the RNC” are “creating a false deadline” for the campaign to show signs of viability.
Iowans who attended Burgum’s event in Urbandale or caught his speech at the Reagan Adair County GOP Dinner in nearby Fontanelle told The Post they were still “open” to learning about Republican contenders, but none said Burgum was definitely their top choice.
“You look at Governor Burgum here tonight, and I don’t think anybody is going to lie to you and tell you that Doug Burgum’s poll numbers are on fire, but he’s clearly more qualified than Joe Biden,” said Ryan Frederick, chairman of the Adair County Republican Party.
The billionaire spoke to possible Iowa caucus attendees at the Adair County GOP Reagan Dinner.NY Post
Frederick argued that even if Burgum did not perform a modern political miracle and win the Republican nomination, his message could “influence” politics going forward, and that he “definitely has a place in the Cabinet.”
Gary Leffler of West Des Moines, who ran unsuccessfully to represent Iowa’s Third Congressional District in 2022, said he is for Trump, but likes that Burgum represents “small town values” and wonders if there is room for him in a possible administration.
Clel Baudler, a former Iowa state representative and Greenfield resident, said he is on Team DeSantis because of the Florida governor’s military service.
Burgum fails to qualify for third RNC debate.NY Post
An audience member at the Pizza Ranch event asked Burgum what his strategy was for getting his message across, given the “rigged” system the governor has denounced.
“You don’t have to win Iowa to get national attention. All you have to do is beat the odds. So one thing I have for all of you is that we have the lowest expectations,” Burgum said with a laugh.
The former software executive’s message of bringing “small-town values” to Washington and his farming experience in North Dakota seems to resonate with his Midwestern audience.
In a true “only-in-Iowa” moment, several viewers expressed frustration with the bureaucratic nature of the US Department of Agriculture, to which Burgum responded by suggesting it be moved to Iowa from DC.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
