DAVENPORT, Iowa — Months of intense politicking on the campaign trail has culminated in a high-stakes showdown between Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley to become the No. 1 alternative. 1 to Donald Trump.
The Post spoke with dozens of DeSantis and Haley voters across the nation’s first state in the week leading up to the Jan. 15 caucuses.
Trump continues to lead the GOP in polls, but those attending DeSantis and Haley’s campaign events tend to see themselves as lifelong Republicans who are fed up with Trump’s “mess” and are looking for a candidate to 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 primary position and will vote strategically in the election.
Those who lean one way or the other cite the following reasons:
Voter DeSantis
Voters who said they were likely to vote for the Florida governor often cited his record as a successful governor, followed by his pro-life policies and family image.
His support in the state is also bolstered by his endorsement from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, and some voters said DeSantis’ commitment to hitting all 99 counties played a role in how they viewed 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 committed to DeSantis in large part because of Reynolds’ support and his “impressive” public image.
“His wife Casey first caught my attention. He impressed me and our governor supported DeSantis. I have a personal and professional relationship with our governor and respect him,” Altman told The Post. “He has the same track record in Florida that Governor Reynolds has in Iowa. They are young families with young children and they want the best for their kind and all of us in America.”
Buffy and Ian Barrs, two Iowa voters who attended DeSantis’ event in Atlantic, Iowa, said they don’t 100% approve of the governor but appreciate his pro-life policies.
They are also looking for the best Trump alternative.
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” on DeSantis for “policy” and “pragmatic” reasons.
He believes DeSantis “has a better chance to win” than Haley, and likes what he’s doing in Florida.
“I think he would probably be an effective ‘small’ Conservative president. I am not as conservative as some of my friends. I tend to be more pragmatic on many issues. But there are certain issues that are very important to me: the rule of law, the expansion of federal executive power… and the issue of the sanctity of life,” he added, arguing Haley was trying to “balance” her views on abortion.
“I’m not ready to vote for DeSantis, but definitely not Trump,” Buffy Barrs said. “Honestly, I’ll probably vote for someone strategically, just seeing where certain areas I’m voting.”
Another Iowa voter at the Atlantic event said he was tired of Trump, and that DeSantis could deliver many of the same policies “without the noise.”
Members of the audience listen as Republican presidential candidate 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 just tired of the division in this country all the time, and don’t think I want to watch what happened four years ago. I think Governor DeSantis is the type of candidate that I want and best represents my values,” the voter said, noting what DeSantis has done in Florida.
According to the latest Iowa poll, DeSantis finished third with 16% behind Haley (20%) and Trump (48%).
Voter Haley
Possible caucus members favoring the former UN ambassador often cite his experience with foreign policy and his support for Ukraine and Israel.
Haley is the most hawkish candidate in the GOP race, as others, like DeSantis, have embraced a more “America First” stance.
John Weihs, 58, and a precinct captain from Hudson, preferred Haley over DeSantis because of her international experience and that he felt the Florida governor was “throwing red meat.”
“[DeSantis] saying that regional disputes are completely naive. And I think Nikki is right. Peace through strength, and don’t give cash to anyone,” said Weihs.
Republican presidential candidate 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 the best chance to win.
“I think he has a real chance. He is a great candidate. I think if he gets the nomination, he’s going to blow any Democrat out of the water,” said Edward Wildanger, 70, of Iowa City.
“I will be happy with [DeSantis] also. But I don’t think she has the potential to win the national nomination like Nikki Haley did.”
Jeff Sell, 62, of Cedar Rapids has supported Trump in the past and stands between Haley and the 45th president. However, Haley’s event Saturday in Cedar Rapids got him thinking.
“I keep thinking Trump is going to be a revenge tour for four years and I can’t do it,” he said. “I have to have an eight-year president.”
Ice hangs from the roof as people arrive for 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’t deal with Trump’s “mess” anymore, is 90% sure he’ll vote for Haley.
“I’ve narrowed it down between DeSantis and Haley, and I’ve seen both of them in person and I think he understands foreign policy better,” Herman told The Post at a Haley event stop in Ankeny.
“For me, that is the deciding factor. I think both would be great. I think they both can lead. I’ve seen their work as governor, but foreign policy, to get it right, is very important now.”
Vince Newendorp voted for Trump in the past but now sees him as too “divisive” and full of baggage for the future.
To him, Haley was “very impressive,” and DeSantis “had to pull out” before Monday to convince him otherwise.
DeSantis speaks to supporters in Ames, Iowa on Thursday, January 11, 2024. Diana Glebova/NY Post
“I appreciated almost everything he said. I appreciate his honesty, his authenticity, his transparency. I appreciate that he wants to communicate with us,” said Newendorp. “I was 50/50 before I came here today between DeSantis. I’m going to see Ron tomorrow, but he’s going to have to pull out all the stops because I’m so impressed.”
Jack Nolin, a first-time voter at DeSantis’ event in Ames, said he was “torn” between DeSantis and Haley, and that foreign policy would be the deciding factor.
“I’m still torn between DeSantis and Nikki Haley, and I wonder if this will win me over. I’m a big national security guy, so fund Ukraine, fund Israel,” Nolin said.
Both Haley and DeSantis are running to gain enough “momentum” to carry them to New Hampshire and beyond.
Their allies hope that once they hypothetically sidestep other candidates and go one-on-one with Trump, they can break through to the former president.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
