Here are the key takeaways from the 2024 Iowa caucuses

AP via PBS ^ | Jan 15, 2024 | Nicholas Riccardi, Brian Slodysko D, AP

[willk]

Iowa Republicans were a clear reflection of that on Monday night, delivering the former president an emphatic victory. They channeled his anger, and his view that basically everything President Joe Biden has done has been a “disaster.” He’s convinced many Republicans he didn’t really lose the 2020 election to Biden, repeatedly making false claims, and has dominated the race the way someone still in office does. With its more moderate, educated electorate, New Hampshire presents Trump’s rivals with possibly their best opportunity to slow his march. Indeed, about two-thirds of caucusgoers said they felt their finances were holding steady or improving. But the voters still want major changes — 3 in 10 want a total upheaval of how the federal government runs while another 6 in 10 want substantial changes. Additionally, as Trump faces multiple criminal charges, 6 in 10 caucusgoers don’t have confidence in the U.S. legal system.

It adds up to a portrait of a slice of the electorate eager to challenge core democratic institutions in the U.S. More than half of Haley’s voters had at least a college degree and roughly half of DeSantis’ did, according to VoteCast. But only about 2 in 10 of Trump’s did.

Education has been a major dividing line among white voters during the Trump era. Iowa confirms what polling has indicated during the primary — that the education divide is also splitting the GOP.

That hints at a possible weakness for Trump in November, should he be the nominee. A greater share of the voting public has at least a bachelor’s degree now than in 2016, and that share rises every year as degrees become more popular.

[Chgogal]

“Most of these urban elitist wimps could not come close to running a real farm. Hint: It's hard work and takes a lot of business and real-world smarts, something these elitist dolts utterly lack.“

I never farmed but I am smart enough to observe how demanding and hard farming is. You have no control over the weather. You have to understand the market and hedge your crop prices. You need to stay liquid. Heck, I don't know how they do it. Personally I would hate being a dairy farmer. When can you take a day off without worrying about Elsie?

[enumerated]

Right, because college is what makes people smart. /S

[linedrive]

I believe the story is hiding that suburban voters will be a problem for Trump. This is beyond mean memes.
Biden is awful; I don’t see Trump energizing people more than he did in 2020. You think the protests outside the White House now for his ‘support’ of Israel will vote for Trump?
Trump needs to surpass what he did in 2020 by a lot to prevent another steal; or allow the steal again regardless of what is exposed.
What kind of riot will they organize at the capitol this time around to prevent members of HoR to challenge the results? That is what the capitol invasion allowed - get a quorum; dismiss them for safety reasons and declare a completed most fair election in our history. Just typing it out sounds too clever to have actually taken place - I mean, you would have to anticipate Trump would call for a peaceful gathering and have your plants already planned for weeks to pull this off. From 12/18 to 1/06 - 20 days?

[piytar]

I never farmed but I am smart enough to observe how demanding and hard farming is. You have no control over the weather. You have to understand the market and hedge your crop prices. You need to stay liquid. Heck, I don't know how they do it. Personally I would hate being a dairy farmer. When can you take a day off without worrying about Elsie?

Well said.

I never farmed or ran a ranch. However, some of my best friends do. Also runs in the family on one side.

Still rememeber a story from my grandfather who ran a mid-size family farm. A fed came out and told him in order to get his subsidies he had to plow under a particular field of corn. Problem is the field had wheat growing. Yes, the fed could not tell the difference between corn and wheat.

Trust me, idiots don't make it in farming or ranching. These elitist idiots would not last one season.

[Magnum44]

[Wonder Warthog]

Whut dey gonna say when Trump kicks ass in New Hampshire as well? I have two college degrees (BS and PhD) in chemistry, and “I” am an “Ever Trumper”...(oh, and I grew up on a farm).

[Sirius Lee]

Education has been a major dividing line among white voters during the Trump era. Iowa confirms what polling has indicated during the primary — that the education divide is also splitting the GOP.

The mockingbird memo has been disseminated.

[libertylover]

With its more moderate, educated electorate, New Hampshire presents Trump’s rivals with possibly their best opportunity to slow his march.

You see that Iowans? The writer, and by extension, the rest of the Democrats, think of you as a bunch of uneducated bumpkins who should never be taken seriously.

[IAGeezer912]

I retired from John Deere after 30 years. I have a BS in Elec Eng and an MBA. I am profoundly impressed by the skill and knowledge it takes to be a successful farmer. AOC said we don’t need farmers because food comes from a grocery store.