Trump Iowa goal: Win general election while Democrats struggle through caucuses

Washington Examiner ^ | February 03, 2020 | by Byron York

[Hojczyk]

Still, Trump has something to prove. Given his success in the 2016 GOP race, it is easy to forget that he started out by losing the Iowa caucuses to Ted Cruz. So he wants to make up for that. But more importantly, he wants to cement Iowans' support for his reelection. Plus, he wants to take advantage of the increased intensity of support among Republicans who believe Trump has been treated unfairly by Democrats in Washington.

"It's a powerful one-two punch at a time when people think he's being treated unfairly with impeachment," said Jeff Kaufmann. "I think it's a knockout punch, to be honest with you."

A knockout punch in Iowa, that is. And if that is indeed the case, Trump will again capture the state's six electoral votes, which could be critical if the race is closer than 2016. So he is campaigning in Iowa in February, even with no threat in the caucuses.

The Trump effort is not a secret; after all, a presidential visit is not exactly under the radar. But the Democratic race is understandably receiving nearly all of the media coverage. So Trump has been able to make a major effort for the general election with very little controversy even as his Democratic rivals struggle to make it through their party's caucuses. The goal: have a key swing state in the bag before Democrats even choose their candidate.

[2banana]

Trump should balance attack so there is no clear dem primary winner

[BushCountry]

I am of the opinion that he should do something different. Open primary states. He should get the word out to Republicans to vote Sanders in these states. Also to change their affiliation to Independent for the states that require it. Let’s have a Sanders win and slaughter.

Alabama
Arkansas
Colorado
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Massachusetts (Primaries open for “unenrolled”/unaffiliated voters only)
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
New Hampshire
North Carolina (Primaries open for unaffiliated voters only)
North Dakota
Ohio (semi-open)
Oklahoma (Only Democratic primary is open to Independent voters as of November 2015)
South Carolina
South Dakota (Only Democratic primary is open to Independent voters as of November 2018)
Tennessee
Texas
Utah (for the Democratic Presidential Primary)
Vermont
Virginia
Washington (state)
Wisconsin

[sodpoodle]

I had never seen this before - I hope the link works. He is much younger and looks great - he is still great;)

q=Donald+Trump+on+the+Oprah+Winfrey+show+video&view=detail&mid=103AD354DE1CAF02990B103AD354DE1CAF02990B&FORM=VIRE

[sodpoodle]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZpMJeynBeg

[Jess Kitting]

I voted for Sanders in my state's Dem primary last time, and I will vote for him again this year.

He will be the easiest for Trump to defeat in the general election.

My slogan last time around was "ABC: Anyone but Clinton!"

Also, I think Hillary is waiting in the wings, and Sanders's supporters will be the most likely to stop her from coming in and stealing the nomination. (They're better prepared now, having been through this before.)

[datricker]

Take all the remaining normal voters so only the real crazies pick the nominee. Now Republicans need to do some option chaos and vote for hmmm got to think maybe Biden just so his collapse is even more spectacular in New Hampshire

[Dr. Sivana]

Trump should balance attack so there is no clear dem primary winner

Keep in mind that a Trump attack on a particular Dem candidate may actually HELP that Dem in some primaries ("He must fear me or he wouldn't attack me"). Ideally, an attack that gets sympathy from Dems who vote in primaries but no one else would be ideal. I loved his attack on Sanders about his "Moscow wedding".

[nhbob1]

I live in NH and will definitely be “Feelin the Bern” next Tuesday!