Both Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida had planned events in Iowa Saturday, May 13, but Mother Nature had other ideas. So how fared the two GOP front runners? Add in a few dirty tricks, thinly veiled jabs at job performance, and negative campaign ads, and the state renowned for being “Iowa Nice” is left to sort it all out. Irony.
Who’s on First?
Hundreds of miles apart, the titans of the current GOP made accusations against one another to the media and demonstrated polarized styles of campaigning: DeSantis was reserved and delivered scripted remarks, and Trump was, well, Trump. He was all ready to rock the rally – until it had to be called off due to the potential for a whirling, violent cloud dropping out of the Iowa skies at any time. So, yes, a tornado watch had Trump and his closest allies seeking shelter.
But DeSantis was able to woo a crowd of 600 plus folks, speaking of a “culture of losing” and warning the GOP not to get stuck in past elections.
“We must reject the culture of losing that has impacted our party in recent years. The time for excuses is over. If we get distracted, if we focus the election on the past or on other side issues, then I think the Democrats are going to beat us again.”
DeSantis, dressed casually in a blue button-down sans tie or jacket, also poked the bear repeatedly without using crude nicknames or slurs. “Governing is not about entertaining. Governing is not about building a brand or talking on social media and virtue signaling,” said DeSantis, “It’s ultimately about winning and producing results.”
The crowd did seem to embrace the remarks, and no one yelled: “Trump” (Iowa nice). Instead, he used words like “sanity,” “normalcy,” “integrity,” and “truth” and reminded the crowd of his successes in the Sunshine State regarding education, crime, and border security. What he did not do was spend time lollygagging with the constituency. The event was a fundraiser for Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA), and DeSantis soon donned a red apron to flip burgers and chops on the grill.
Seemingly at random, the entourage stopped at Jethro’s BBQ Southside in Des Moines as they returned to the airport. There, DeSantis and his wife Casey mingled, did a fantastic grip and grin for multiple selfies, and seemed to have a relaxed and personable time. And the governor does need to loosen up a bit when out of his Florida bubble.
For DeSantis, this Iowa trip seemed fruitful. For Trump, a promised reschedule to rally the MAGA troops.
Iowa Tornado: The Answer to a Dirty Trick
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Trump and DeSantis are in a battle for Big Man on Campus for the GOP, despite the fact the latter hasn’t officially declared his candidacy yet. They have both spent countless engagements decrying each other’s record and style. DeSantis, with a sophisticated old-style grace, while Trump went straight to the bone with the nickname “DeSanctimonious.” Trump also ran an ad telling the governor to keep his “pudding fingers” out of social security benefits. That is not an “Iowa nice” thing to say, for those wondering.
Governor Kim Reynolds and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) attended DeSantis’ Sioux Center appearance. Mike Lindell, the My Pillow man, flanked Trump.
Name-calling, dirty tricks, and negative campaigning is nothing new. Trump did not invent the strategy; he elevated it hugely in the public eye. For now, however, DeSantis wins in a state that hesitates on their politicians of choice. Trump? Well, he’s promised to return post haste and hold his Iowa rally for the MAGA folks who follow his policies and personality. For Republicans, it will come down to who survives the public onslaught and whether they can all shake hands and back the chosen candidate after the votes are counted.
