Posted on 02/08/2015 9:33:05 PM PST by iowamark
Less than a year before Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses, it appears that every Republican contender is making a serious play to win the state, setting up what is likely to be one of the most active, competitive campaigns here in recent memory.
Political observers in Iowa say that the field is wide open and that numerous candidates have a legitimate shot to win or do well enough to come out with momentum. That is partly because moderates in the Iowa Republican Party, led by Gov. Terry Branstad, have reasserted themselves into the caucus process after watching social conservatives dominate in 2008 and 2012.
The GOP hopefuls, who at the moment number around two dozen, are already battling one another for supporters and potential staff members amid regular visits to the state.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will speak Monday night to Republicans in Dallas County, one of the state’s fastest-growing suburbs and an area his advisers see as a ripe political target.
Unlike Mitt Romney, who took a cautious approach to Iowa four years ago, establishment candidates such as Christie look poised to be all-in this time.
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush, along with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), plans to speak at a business-oriented forum next month, and Bush has tapped a veteran Iowa-based operative, David Kochel, to serve as his campaign manager, should he formally enter the race...
“On Thursday morning, I got in my truck at 9:03 a.m. and Ted Cruz’s guy called me to let me know [a reporter] may be calling,” said Sam Clovis, a sometime talk-radio host who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate last year. “I said: ‘Yeah, I like Senator Cruz. I’ll say the right things. Don’t worry.’...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Christie, Romney and Jeb are moderates all right — moderate liberals.
Here’s one for you.........
Clint Eastwood for President!!!
Here we go again, making little Iowa the most important state ever.
Typical WaPo ignorance, confusing a non-binding presidential preference poll with the caucus process that plays out over time.
By the way, how do other states pick precinct and county level Republican party officers? If there aren’t precinct level caucuses, does the state party assign someone?
I dislike that too...making Iowa the all important state.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.