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| Iowa caucus: candidates offer last pitch as America (finally) prepares to vote – campaign live | Iowa caucus: candidates offer last pitch as America (finally) prepares to vote – campaign live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 1.16am GMT | |
| 01:16 | |
| Less than 24 hours until caucus time in Iowa | |
| 23 hours and 45 minutes, to be precise, until the voting goes down in the Hawkeye state. | |
| Election = 6,768 hours away https://t.co/Fmr8AGoOb2 | |
| But who’s counting? | |
| I think he meant "Our long national nightmare is over," but sure. https://t.co/YC50JzTw6T | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.18am GMT | |
| 1.06am GMT | |
| 01:06 | |
| By contrast, Rick Santorum’s FEC disclosure data shows that at the end of last year the former senator had just $42k cash on hand at the end of the year, on total fundraising of just $245,555. | |
| 1.04am GMT | |
| 01:04 | |
| Ted Cruz’s federal fundraising data is out | |
| The Texas senator raised $20.5m in the last quarter of 2015, giving him a formidable $19m cash on hand at the and of the year – nearly half of his total fundraising in this election cycle was in the last three months of the year. | |
| Compare that to the $15m quarter for Jeb (!) Bush, thought to be the epitome of a big-money election, and you can start to see why Cruz is cruising into Iowa caucus day, nipping at the heels of Trump with a high-powered campaign machine. | |
| We’ve still yet to get all the reports from outside donors to Cruz’s campaign – he’s got a whole troupe of super-Pacs – but stay tuned, as we’ll be breaking them down when they come in ahead of the midnight Federal Election Commission deadline. | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.16am GMT | |
| 12.53am GMT | |
| 00:53 | |
| Part of the reason Trump is reaching out to evangelicals is that polling sees him neck-and-neck in Iowa with Ted Cruz, who is popular on the Christian right. | |
| Pledge of allegiance in before #Trump rally in #SiouxCity #Iowa. This is patriotic, religious heartland of #America pic.twitter.com/kCBAyrSoT0 | |
| Cruz is also in church today: | |
| A full room for @tedcruz's rally here at Adventure Community Church in Davenport, Iowa. pic.twitter.com/KBdBc4GSjl | |
| 12.50am GMT | |
| 00:50 | |
| In the fourth quarter of last year, New Jersey governor Chris Christie consolidated his small but effective fundraising operation, raising nearly $3m, giving him $1m cash on hand, reports the Washington Post. | |
| Christie’s haul of $2.95 million in the final three months of the year brings the total raised for his campaign to $7.16 million. Although that amount puts him far behind Republican fundraising leaders including Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.), Christie has kept his operation relatively lean and his advisers stressed that he has avoided some of the budget pitfalls of such rivals as former Florida governor Jeb Bush. | |
| “We’ve done a lot more with a lot less,” said Mike DuHaime, Christie’s chief strategist. “We haven’t had any of the problems that other campaigns had with spending. … We’ve been smart and judicious.” | |
| You can read the full story here. | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.58am GMT | |
| 12.42am GMT | 12.42am GMT |
| 00:42 | 00:42 |
| Donald Trump is in Sioux City, Iowa, closing out his caucus campaign in an event with the televangenist Jerry Falwell. He’s just donated $100k on stage to a charity which supports injured veterans. | Donald Trump is in Sioux City, Iowa, closing out his caucus campaign in an event with the televangenist Jerry Falwell. He’s just donated $100k on stage to a charity which supports injured veterans. |
| Trump appears to have found God in snowy Iowa. This is the real-estate mogul’s second event today which is aimed to reach out to evangelical Christians in the state; earlier today, Trump and his wife Melania joined pastor Joshua Nink at his church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for a Sunday morning service. | Trump appears to have found God in snowy Iowa. This is the real-estate mogul’s second event today which is aimed to reach out to evangelical Christians in the state; earlier today, Trump and his wife Melania joined pastor Joshua Nink at his church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for a Sunday morning service. |
| 12.37am GMT | 12.37am GMT |
| 00:37 | 00:37 |
| Lauren Gambino | Lauren Gambino |
| Governor John Kasich of Ohio talked terrorism with a 12-year-old and danced around a pointed question about American exceptionalism during a town hall in Bow, New Hampshire, reports Lauren Gambino: | Governor John Kasich of Ohio talked terrorism with a 12-year-old and danced around a pointed question about American exceptionalism during a town hall in Bow, New Hampshire, reports Lauren Gambino: |
| The young girl stood up and began her question but the governor interrupted. “How old are you?” | The young girl stood up and began her question but the governor interrupted. “How old are you?” |
| “Twelve,” she replied as if irritated that adults always ask this. | “Twelve,” she replied as if irritated that adults always ask this. |
| Kasich asked he to wait while he waved over a staffer and instructed him to take a photo. “Voters like these moments,” he said half-jokingly as an aside to the adults in the room. He then let her finish. | Kasich asked he to wait while he waved over a staffer and instructed him to take a photo. “Voters like these moments,” he said half-jokingly as an aside to the adults in the room. He then let her finish. |
| She asked what he was going to do about the terrorists who keep killing Americans. “Do you worry about that?” he asked, “I don’t want you to worry about that.” | She asked what he was going to do about the terrorists who keep killing Americans. “Do you worry about that?” he asked, “I don’t want you to worry about that.” |
| He the proceeded to tell her about the bad guys in Pakistan (“Do you know what Pakistan is? It’s a country who don’t like young girls to go to school”). He also explained that there was a team of specialists dedicated to keeping Americans safe. That team is called a “big long word”: the Joint Terrorism Task Force. After starting on a story about a terrorist attack at a girls school in Pakistan, Kasich decided to try another tack. | He the proceeded to tell her about the bad guys in Pakistan (“Do you know what Pakistan is? It’s a country who don’t like young girls to go to school”). He also explained that there was a team of specialists dedicated to keeping Americans safe. That team is called a “big long word”: the Joint Terrorism Task Force. After starting on a story about a terrorist attack at a girls school in Pakistan, Kasich decided to try another tack. |
| “So what do you want to be when you grow up?” | “So what do you want to be when you grow up?” |
| Later in the event he was asked if believed America really is better than every country, and what message that sends to world leaders. | Later in the event he was asked if believed America really is better than every country, and what message that sends to world leaders. |
| Kasich answered with a football metaphor. “Do you know Tom Brady?...Everybody on [the Patriots] recognizes that he is the leader. That doesn’t mean the rest of the players on the team shouldn’t be respected.” | Kasich answered with a football metaphor. “Do you know Tom Brady?...Everybody on [the Patriots] recognizes that he is the leader. That doesn’t mean the rest of the players on the team shouldn’t be respected.” |
| He added later: “It’s not arrogance, it’s leadership.” | He added later: “It’s not arrogance, it’s leadership.” |
| Kasich ended the event with one final pitch from the heart: | Kasich ended the event with one final pitch from the heart: |
| “Gimmie the vote, would ya?” | “Gimmie the vote, would ya?” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.38am GMT | at 12.38am GMT |
| 12.30am GMT | 12.30am GMT |
| 00:30 | 00:30 |
| Hedge fund billionaire Julian Robertson, one of Jeb! Bush’s most generous donors, is hedging his bets with donations to Ohio governor John Kasich, FEC disclosures looked at by Politico reveal. | Hedge fund billionaire Julian Robertson, one of Jeb! Bush’s most generous donors, is hedging his bets with donations to Ohio governor John Kasich, FEC disclosures looked at by Politico reveal. |
| Robertson gave $25,000 to New Day Independent Media Committee, one of the twin groups backing the Ohio governor, according to disclosures filed Sunday. Last June, Robertson, who founded Tiger Management, gave $1 million to | Robertson gave $25,000 to New Day Independent Media Committee, one of the twin groups backing the Ohio governor, according to disclosures filed Sunday. Last June, Robertson, who founded Tiger Management, gave $1 million to |
| Right to Rise, the pro-Bush super PAC. Right to Rise hadn’t filed its latest disclosure report as of Sunday evening, so it was unclear whether Robertson continued to support Bush’s cause in the last part of 2015. | Right to Rise, the pro-Bush super PAC. Right to Rise hadn’t filed its latest disclosure report as of Sunday evening, so it was unclear whether Robertson continued to support Bush’s cause in the last part of 2015. |
| You can read the whole story here; but even in the last couple of minutes, Right to Rise filed its latest disclosure, showing that it had raised a dismal $15m in the second half of the year, as compared with $103m in the first half of the year. | You can read the whole story here; but even in the last couple of minutes, Right to Rise filed its latest disclosure, showing that it had raised a dismal $15m in the second half of the year, as compared with $103m in the first half of the year. |
| That’s an unbelievably precipitous dropping-off in funding; no wonder the former Florida governor has looked so glum recently. | That’s an unbelievably precipitous dropping-off in funding; no wonder the former Florida governor has looked so glum recently. |
| 12.22am GMT | 12.22am GMT |
| 00:22 | 00:22 |
| In Des Moines on Saturday, US head of news David Taylor was given a tour of what has to be America’s most patriotic tractor. | In Des Moines on Saturday, US head of news David Taylor was given a tour of what has to be America’s most patriotic tractor. |
| The 1957 860 Ford, complete with hologram eagle whose eyes follow passersby, the names of military veterans and “Jesus in the clouds”, is the creation of Gary Leffler of West Des Moines. | The 1957 860 Ford, complete with hologram eagle whose eyes follow passersby, the names of military veterans and “Jesus in the clouds”, is the creation of Gary Leffler of West Des Moines. |
| As Monday’s Iowa caucus approached, Leffler was sticking to his support for former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, an underdog in this race but a politician with a strong evangelical following who won the state in 2008. | As Monday’s Iowa caucus approached, Leffler was sticking to his support for former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, an underdog in this race but a politician with a strong evangelical following who won the state in 2008. |
| “Underneath the hood of the tractor is all the names of our family that served in the military,” Leffler said as he conducted a tour of the vehicle, noting that his son had just been promoted to captain and would thus need to have his title on the tractor updated. | “Underneath the hood of the tractor is all the names of our family that served in the military,” Leffler said as he conducted a tour of the vehicle, noting that his son had just been promoted to captain and would thus need to have his title on the tractor updated. |
| The top of the hood features a Bible verse, John 3:16, and a cross, Leffler said, “and if you look in the clouds right here you can see Jesus in the clouds.” | The top of the hood features a Bible verse, John 3:16, and a cross, Leffler said, “and if you look in the clouds right here you can see Jesus in the clouds.” |
| You can read his full report here, and you should, because it’s terrific. | You can read his full report here, and you should, because it’s terrific. |
| 12.13am GMT | 12.13am GMT |
| 00:13 | 00:13 |
| Google has compiled a series of interactive maps showing what people in the Hawkeye state are searching for related to tomorrow’s caucuses. | Google has compiled a series of interactive maps showing what people in the Hawkeye state are searching for related to tomorrow’s caucuses. |
| Here are the top searched issues and candidates, by county, across Iowa: | Here are the top searched issues and candidates, by county, across Iowa: |
| 12.06am GMT | 12.06am GMT |
| 00:06 | 00:06 |
| Ben Jacobs | Ben Jacobs |
| Donald Trump may have once touted “Trump Steaks” but it seems he has far more prosaic tastes in food, Ben Jacobs reports from Council Bluffs, IA: | Donald Trump may have once touted “Trump Steaks” but it seems he has far more prosaic tastes in food, Ben Jacobs reports from Council Bluffs, IA: |
| In a rally this afternoon in a middle school gym, Trump supporter Jerry Falwell Jr revealed his surprise yesterday when he discovered that the Republican frontrunner’s dinner last night was “a lot of Wendy’s cheeseburgers.” The meal which Trump shared with Falwell and others happened on Trump’s luxurious plane as they crisscrossed the Hawkeye State. | In a rally this afternoon in a middle school gym, Trump supporter Jerry Falwell Jr revealed his surprise yesterday when he discovered that the Republican frontrunner’s dinner last night was “a lot of Wendy’s cheeseburgers.” The meal which Trump shared with Falwell and others happened on Trump’s luxurious plane as they crisscrossed the Hawkeye State. |
| Trump’s rally was otherwise quite low key as it took place an interview format with Falwell offered Trump softball questions about his campaign. | Trump’s rally was otherwise quite low key as it took place an interview format with Falwell offered Trump softball questions about his campaign. |
| Trump used the opportunity to attack Ted Cruz’s campaign for a controversial mailer which hit mailboxes in Iowa this week. “It’s a social thing, you’re not allowed to do that,” said the mailing, which tried to shame Iowans into caucusing by sharing their voter histories. Trump also warned “pretty soon you’re going to have illegals start to vote.” | Trump used the opportunity to attack Ted Cruz’s campaign for a controversial mailer which hit mailboxes in Iowa this week. “It’s a social thing, you’re not allowed to do that,” said the mailing, which tried to shame Iowans into caucusing by sharing their voter histories. Trump also warned “pretty soon you’re going to have illegals start to vote.” |
| Only United States citizens can currently vote in elections and non-citizens, both in the country legally and illegally cannot participate. | Only United States citizens can currently vote in elections and non-citizens, both in the country legally and illegally cannot participate. |
| 12.00am GMT | 12.00am GMT |
| 00:00 | 00:00 |
| Billionaire George Soros officially has skin in the game. New FEC donation disclosure info has revealed today that on December 17, he gave a $6m to Priorities USA Action, Hillary Clinton’s super-PAC. | Billionaire George Soros officially has skin in the game. New FEC donation disclosure info has revealed today that on December 17, he gave a $6m to Priorities USA Action, Hillary Clinton’s super-PAC. |
| According to Michael Beckel, a reporter for the Center for Public Integrity, this means that five “megadonors” account for 40 percent of the $41m raised by Priorities in 2015 - Haim and Cheryl Saban, Herb Sandler, Donald Sussman and Soros. | According to Michael Beckel, a reporter for the Center for Public Integrity, this means that five “megadonors” account for 40 percent of the $41m raised by Priorities in 2015 - Haim and Cheryl Saban, Herb Sandler, Donald Sussman and Soros. |
| 11.49pm GMT | 11.49pm GMT |
| 23:49 | 23:49 |
| Summary: it's the night before caucus night! | Summary: it's the night before caucus night! |
| Good evening. I’m Nicky Woolf, and I’ll be your guide through the final snowy spring toward Iowa caucus day, which – after months of bluster and billions of dollars – is finally upon us. | Good evening. I’m Nicky Woolf, and I’ll be your guide through the final snowy spring toward Iowa caucus day, which – after months of bluster and billions of dollars – is finally upon us. |
| On Monday, the first votes are to be cast in the 2016 presidential election race. On the Democrat side, Hillary Clinton – who launched her presidential bid nine and a half months ago and drove straight to the Iowa city of Des Moines – faces off against Vermont senator Bernie Sanders and former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley. | On Monday, the first votes are to be cast in the 2016 presidential election race. On the Democrat side, Hillary Clinton – who launched her presidential bid nine and a half months ago and drove straight to the Iowa city of Des Moines – faces off against Vermont senator Bernie Sanders and former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley. |
| On the Republican side, the last big poll out of Iowa put Donald Trump and Ted Cruz almost neck-and-neck for support, chased by what is still a crowded field of candidates including Marco Rubio, Ben Carson and, somewhere down there tied with the answer for “undecided”, poor ole Jeb (!) Bush. | On the Republican side, the last big poll out of Iowa put Donald Trump and Ted Cruz almost neck-and-neck for support, chased by what is still a crowded field of candidates including Marco Rubio, Ben Carson and, somewhere down there tied with the answer for “undecided”, poor ole Jeb (!) Bush. |
| On the ground for you in the Hawkeye state, at this very moment, as snow falls from the sky, we have our mighty political reporting squad: | On the ground for you in the Hawkeye state, at this very moment, as snow falls from the sky, we have our mighty political reporting squad: |
| Oh. And then this happened pic.twitter.com/fHJnlDSk3s | Oh. And then this happened pic.twitter.com/fHJnlDSk3s |
| We’ve got Trump, Cruz, Clinton and Sanders all set to speak this evening, and the FEC deadline for big-money donations to finally be disclosed coming straight on till at midnight tonight. Oh, and national reporter Lauren Gambino is with John Kasich on the trail in New Hampshire, because primary day there is only a week-and-change away, too. | We’ve got Trump, Cruz, Clinton and Sanders all set to speak this evening, and the FEC deadline for big-money donations to finally be disclosed coming straight on till at midnight tonight. Oh, and national reporter Lauren Gambino is with John Kasich on the trail in New Hampshire, because primary day there is only a week-and-change away, too. |
| Buckle up folks: election day is finally on the horizon. It’s going to be a bumpy ride. | Buckle up folks: election day is finally on the horizon. It’s going to be a bumpy ride. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.50pm GMT | at 11.50pm GMT |
| 11.12pm GMT | 11.12pm GMT |
| 23:12 | 23:12 |
| New Hampshire poll: Sanders with 20pt lead | New Hampshire poll: Sanders with 20pt lead |
| A new CNN/WMUR poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire puts Bernie Sanders a full 23 points ahead of Hillary Clinton in the second state to vote in the 2016, 57% to 34%. Martin O’Malley barely registers on the Democratic side, with only 1%. The poll is actually a decline for Sanders since the most previous survey, but still a remarkable margin for the senator from Vermont. | A new CNN/WMUR poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire puts Bernie Sanders a full 23 points ahead of Hillary Clinton in the second state to vote in the 2016, 57% to 34%. Martin O’Malley barely registers on the Democratic side, with only 1%. The poll is actually a decline for Sanders since the most previous survey, but still a remarkable margin for the senator from Vermont. |
| For Republicans, Donald Trump leads the new poll 30% to Ted Cruz’s 12%. Marco Rubio is a close third at 11%, followed by John Kasich (9%), Chris Christie (8%) and Jeb BVush (6%). | For Republicans, Donald Trump leads the new poll 30% to Ted Cruz’s 12%. Marco Rubio is a close third at 11%, followed by John Kasich (9%), Chris Christie (8%) and Jeb BVush (6%). |
| NEW HAMPSHIREGOP presidential preference:Trump 30%Cruz 12Rubio 11Kasich 9Christie 8Bush 6Fiorina 4 ...(CNN/WMUR/UNH, 1/27-30) | NEW HAMPSHIREGOP presidential preference:Trump 30%Cruz 12Rubio 11Kasich 9Christie 8Bush 6Fiorina 4 ...(CNN/WMUR/UNH, 1/27-30) |
| 10.42pm GMT | 10.42pm GMT |
| 22:42 | 22:42 |
| In Des Moines, David Taylor gets a tour of the world’s most patriotic tractor: a 1957 860 Ford … complete with hologram eagle whose eyes follow passersby, the names of military veterans, and “Jesus in the clouds”. | In Des Moines, David Taylor gets a tour of the world’s most patriotic tractor: a 1957 860 Ford … complete with hologram eagle whose eyes follow passersby, the names of military veterans, and “Jesus in the clouds”. |
| “My wife says, ‘Really? You put a snake on the tractor?’ I said that’s for Isis, al-Qaida and the Taliban.” | “My wife says, ‘Really? You put a snake on the tractor?’ I said that’s for Isis, al-Qaida and the Taliban.” |
| 10.20pm GMT | 10.20pm GMT |
| 22:20 | 22:20 |
| As polling day looms and the media focuses on the contenders to win the Iowa caucuses – Trump, Cruz and Rubio for the Republicans, Clinton and Sanders for the Democrats – a nation finds itself wondering: what have the stragglers been up to? | As polling day looms and the media focuses on the contenders to win the Iowa caucuses – Trump, Cruz and Rubio for the Republicans, Clinton and Sanders for the Democrats – a nation finds itself wondering: what have the stragglers been up to? |
| At least one reporter’s keeping track – Edward Helmore is on the case: | At least one reporter’s keeping track – Edward Helmore is on the case: |
| On Saturday, New Jersey governor Chris Christie was making one of two stops in the state at the Chrome Horse Saloon in Cedar Rapids. He paused to inform the crowd: | On Saturday, New Jersey governor Chris Christie was making one of two stops in the state at the Chrome Horse Saloon in Cedar Rapids. He paused to inform the crowd: |
| When you see me in a place like this … I become smarter and more charming and better looking and funny. By the time you walk out of here, you are going to be, ‘Damn, man, that guy should be emperor.’ | When you see me in a place like this … I become smarter and more charming and better looking and funny. By the time you walk out of here, you are going to be, ‘Damn, man, that guy should be emperor.’ |
| Christie, the Financial Times reported, cautioned the crowd against supporting the Republican frontrunner, Trump. “Showtime is over,” he said. “We are not electing the entertainer in chief, everybody … we are electing the commander-in-chief. This isn’t a game. This isn’t a TV show. This is the real world.” | Christie, the Financial Times reported, cautioned the crowd against supporting the Republican frontrunner, Trump. “Showtime is over,” he said. “We are not electing the entertainer in chief, everybody … we are electing the commander-in-chief. This isn’t a game. This isn’t a TV show. This is the real world.” |
| The third Democratic candidate, Martin O’Malley, polling at 3% in Iowa, remains important because that support represents the spread between Clinton and Sanders. | The third Democratic candidate, Martin O’Malley, polling at 3% in Iowa, remains important because that support represents the spread between Clinton and Sanders. |
| According to the rules of caucusing, a candidate must have support from 15% of caucus-goers in any given precinct to reach “viability”. If too few voters support a candidate, they are free to support another. | According to the rules of caucusing, a candidate must have support from 15% of caucus-goers in any given precinct to reach “viability”. If too few voters support a candidate, they are free to support another. |
| Both the Clinton and Sanders camps have therefore sought to win over O’Malley backers. Nonetheless, the former Maryland governor told supporters in Boone on Saturday: | Both the Clinton and Sanders camps have therefore sought to win over O’Malley backers. Nonetheless, the former Maryland governor told supporters in Boone on Saturday: |
| Hold strong in that first alignment. We have to beat expectations. I’m hoping and working to make my campaign the surprise that comes out of Iowa. | Hold strong in that first alignment. We have to beat expectations. I’m hoping and working to make my campaign the surprise that comes out of Iowa. |
| Back in the Republican field Ben Carson, whose support in the state peaked at 25% but has now dropped to 10%, has pledged to defy the odds. | Back in the Republican field Ben Carson, whose support in the state peaked at 25% but has now dropped to 10%, has pledged to defy the odds. |
| “We’re seeing a lot of movement on the ground, there’s a lot of shifting going on right now,” Carson told the Detroit News on Friday, in southeast Iowa. | “We’re seeing a lot of movement on the ground, there’s a lot of shifting going on right now,” Carson told the Detroit News on Friday, in southeast Iowa. |
| It almost feels like an earthquake. And I think a lot of it is shifting in our favor. So we’re actually looking forward to a very good night, which would be quite surprising, I think, to a lot of pundits. | It almost feels like an earthquake. And I think a lot of it is shifting in our favor. So we’re actually looking forward to a very good night, which would be quite surprising, I think, to a lot of pundits. |
| Referring to recent media coverage that has focused on campaign stumbles and raised the possibility Iowa could mark a last stand for his campaign, Carson told the crowd, “If I listened to what the media said about me, I’d run in the other direction.” | Referring to recent media coverage that has focused on campaign stumbles and raised the possibility Iowa could mark a last stand for his campaign, Carson told the crowd, “If I listened to what the media said about me, I’d run in the other direction.” |
| Carly Fiorina, too, has been walking a long road in Iowa, pushing her program to “take our government back”. In Mason City in the northern part of the state on Saturday, USA Today reported, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO sought to explain the concept of zero-based budgeting. | Carly Fiorina, too, has been walking a long road in Iowa, pushing her program to “take our government back”. In Mason City in the northern part of the state on Saturday, USA Today reported, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO sought to explain the concept of zero-based budgeting. |
| It means you can examine any dollar, you can cut any dollar and you can move any dollar. All the government does now is discuss the rate of increase. | It means you can examine any dollar, you can cut any dollar and you can move any dollar. All the government does now is discuss the rate of increase. |
| Senator Rand Paul, too, predicts he will surprise in Monday’s caucus, arguing that polls are skewed toward older voters, not younger voters who rally to his pro-liberty positions. | Senator Rand Paul, too, predicts he will surprise in Monday’s caucus, arguing that polls are skewed toward older voters, not younger voters who rally to his pro-liberty positions. |
| Related: Rand Paul hopes college students will offer him surprise Iowa victory | Related: Rand Paul hopes college students will offer him surprise Iowa victory |
| He told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday his campaign has called a million voters in the state. | He told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday his campaign has called a million voters in the state. |
| “I think we’ve called them so much we know them by name by now,” he said. | “I think we’ve called them so much we know them by name by now,” he said. |
| Onetime frontrunner Jeb Bush, meanwhile, has seen his numbers steadily decline to the point that he took 2% support in the Register poll. In recent days, he has been travelling with his wife Colomba and daughter Noelle. Next month, the Bushes will be joined in New Hampshire by their four grandchildren and former president George W Bush. | Onetime frontrunner Jeb Bush, meanwhile, has seen his numbers steadily decline to the point that he took 2% support in the Register poll. In recent days, he has been travelling with his wife Colomba and daughter Noelle. Next month, the Bushes will be joined in New Hampshire by their four grandchildren and former president George W Bush. |
| In Sioux City, the candidate told reporters: | In Sioux City, the candidate told reporters: |
| This is a family deal, especially when you get to the beginning of the end. | This is a family deal, especially when you get to the beginning of the end. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.37pm GMT | at 10.37pm GMT |
| 10.07pm GMT | 10.07pm GMT |
| 22:07 | 22:07 |
| “He may have won eight years ago in Iowa, but Mike Huckabee has the aura of a tired heritage act on one last tour of small town clubs and bars.” | “He may have won eight years ago in Iowa, but Mike Huckabee has the aura of a tired heritage act on one last tour of small town clubs and bars.” |
| David Taylor, head of news for the Guardian US, reports from West Des Moines: | David Taylor, head of news for the Guardian US, reports from West Des Moines: |
| One part preacher to two parts stand-up guy, the former Arkansas governor can still charm a room. But after visiting all 99 counties as a virtually permanent resident in Iowa these past eight months, he is nowhere in the polls. | One part preacher to two parts stand-up guy, the former Arkansas governor can still charm a room. But after visiting all 99 counties as a virtually permanent resident in Iowa these past eight months, he is nowhere in the polls. |
| With 30 hours to go until the caucus, he had an answer for an early afternoon crowd forced into the back room of the Inspired Grounds coffee shop. | With 30 hours to go until the caucus, he had an answer for an early afternoon crowd forced into the back room of the Inspired Grounds coffee shop. |
| “I’m going to be glad when we finally actually base this whole election on votes rather than some east coast pollster who has never spent a night in Iowa, and doesn’t have a clue about voters who are going to be going to the caucuses.” | “I’m going to be glad when we finally actually base this whole election on votes rather than some east coast pollster who has never spent a night in Iowa, and doesn’t have a clue about voters who are going to be going to the caucuses.” |
| At the back, a little girl drew a picture of the candidate and decorated it with stars and the legend “Huck ‘16”. A woman in her 60s nibbled her way through a beautifully-risen apple caramel crumb cake while the veteran candidate listed the welders and single moms he had met, the police officers and the factory workers who stand all day on concrete floors. | At the back, a little girl drew a picture of the candidate and decorated it with stars and the legend “Huck ‘16”. A woman in her 60s nibbled her way through a beautifully-risen apple caramel crumb cake while the veteran candidate listed the welders and single moms he had met, the police officers and the factory workers who stand all day on concrete floors. |
| In the age of Instagram and viral videos, Huckabee spoke up for “the old fashioned way” of electioneering. “Hard work and handshakes”, he said are the real way to pass your audition for a job at the White House. | In the age of Instagram and viral videos, Huckabee spoke up for “the old fashioned way” of electioneering. “Hard work and handshakes”, he said are the real way to pass your audition for a job at the White House. |
| There was no policy pitch, except for a moment to hymn the value of lawmaking experience and warn of the danger of appointing as president another untried freshman senator – a swipe at Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Rand Paul. | There was no policy pitch, except for a moment to hymn the value of lawmaking experience and warn of the danger of appointing as president another untried freshman senator – a swipe at Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Rand Paul. |
| Huckabee is widely tipped to be the next Republican to drop out of the race, but the sunny optimist was still dreaming of an upset and looking forward to Iowans waking up on Tuesday saying: “Oh my, he done did it again.” | Huckabee is widely tipped to be the next Republican to drop out of the race, but the sunny optimist was still dreaming of an upset and looking forward to Iowans waking up on Tuesday saying: “Oh my, he done did it again.” |
| But he may simply be done. | But he may simply be done. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.10pm GMT | at 10.10pm GMT |
| 9.50pm GMT | 9.50pm GMT |
| 21:50 | 21:50 |
| Harry Davies | Harry Davies |
| The latest FEC filings have been trickling in. By midnight, campaigns and Super Pacs must disclose where they’ve been getting their money and how they’ve been spending it for period covering July to the end of the year. | The latest FEC filings have been trickling in. By midnight, campaigns and Super Pacs must disclose where they’ve been getting their money and how they’ve been spending it for period covering July to the end of the year. |
| Early disclosures show the newest of the pro-Cruz Super Pacs, Stand for Truth, has received hundreds of thousands of dollars from opaque limited liability companies (LLCs), which have little or no information about who owns the company or the company’s business activities. | Early disclosures show the newest of the pro-Cruz Super Pacs, Stand for Truth, has received hundreds of thousands of dollars from opaque limited liability companies (LLCs), which have little or no information about who owns the company or the company’s business activities. |
| While LLCs are not unusual and perfectly legitimate entities, they can be less transparent than a corporation depending on the state in which they are incorporated. LLCs often have fewer requirements to disclose financial information and ownership. | While LLCs are not unusual and perfectly legitimate entities, they can be less transparent than a corporation depending on the state in which they are incorporated. LLCs often have fewer requirements to disclose financial information and ownership. |
| The involvement of LLCs in campaign finance has previously raised the alarm among transparency groups over so-called “dark money” entering politics. The Sunlight Foundation says LLCs can “become efficient and useful vectors for concealed political donations.” | The involvement of LLCs in campaign finance has previously raised the alarm among transparency groups over so-called “dark money” entering politics. The Sunlight Foundation says LLCs can “become efficient and useful vectors for concealed political donations.” |
| Altogether, Stand for Truth received $380,000 from eight LLCs in December, less than a month after the group was established. One of these LLCs appears to be incorporated in Delaware where information on companies is so limited they are “essentially black boxes”, as the Center for Public Integrity puts it. | Altogether, Stand for Truth received $380,000 from eight LLCs in December, less than a month after the group was established. One of these LLCs appears to be incorporated in Delaware where information on companies is so limited they are “essentially black boxes”, as the Center for Public Integrity puts it. |
| Over the past two months, Stand for Truth has poured over $4.7m into TV, digital and radio advertising to support Cruz. As part of an expensive ad surge in Iowa, the Super Pac launched an attack ad against Donald Trump, in which the rival candidate can be heard saying: “In many cases, I identify more as a Democrat.” | Over the past two months, Stand for Truth has poured over $4.7m into TV, digital and radio advertising to support Cruz. As part of an expensive ad surge in Iowa, the Super Pac launched an attack ad against Donald Trump, in which the rival candidate can be heard saying: “In many cases, I identify more as a Democrat.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.02pm GMT | at 10.02pm GMT |
| 9.29pm GMT | 9.29pm GMT |
| 21:29 | 21:29 |
| Lauren Gambino | Lauren Gambino |
| Ohio Governor John Kasich is hoping to make a splash here in Salem, New Hampshire, with a little help from his friends. | Ohio Governor John Kasich is hoping to make a splash here in Salem, New Hampshire, with a little help from his friends. |
| On a sunny winter’s day, Kasich opened his 85th New Hampshire town hall on Sunday by asking a bearded troubadour to play the Beatles’ Here Comes the Sun. | On a sunny winter’s day, Kasich opened his 85th New Hampshire town hall on Sunday by asking a bearded troubadour to play the Beatles’ Here Comes the Sun. |
| Rod Webber, known locally as the “flowerman” because he hands candidates flowers for peace, strummed his guitar. | Rod Webber, known locally as the “flowerman” because he hands candidates flowers for peace, strummed his guitar. |
| “Here comes the sun,” he sang, slightly off-tune. “Global warming”. | “Here comes the sun,” he sang, slightly off-tune. “Global warming”. |
| The audience chuckled politely and Kasich jumped in: “You might want to work on your vocals.” | The audience chuckled politely and Kasich jumped in: “You might want to work on your vocals.” |
| While the rest of the Republican presidential field blankets Iowa for any last-minute votes, Kasich wooed moderate Republicans and independent voters here in New Hampshire with his folksy charm and sunny message. | While the rest of the Republican presidential field blankets Iowa for any last-minute votes, Kasich wooed moderate Republicans and independent voters here in New Hampshire with his folksy charm and sunny message. |
| “I’m a lot more interested in talking about what I’m for than the people who are in the primary up here in New Hampshire because you know what I want to raise the bar. I want us to regain hope in this country,” Kasich said. The audience erupted in applause. | “I’m a lot more interested in talking about what I’m for than the people who are in the primary up here in New Hampshire because you know what I want to raise the bar. I want us to regain hope in this country,” Kasich said. The audience erupted in applause. |
| Kasich said outside his event in Salem that he’s “thrilled” to have received the endorsement of the New York Times and the Boston Globe, as well as the backing of seven out of eight of New Hampshire’s newspaper editorial boards. | Kasich said outside his event in Salem that he’s “thrilled” to have received the endorsement of the New York Times and the Boston Globe, as well as the backing of seven out of eight of New Hampshire’s newspaper editorial boards. |
| “It really illustrates for a lot of people that Kasich’s a conservative but he has wide-appeal,” Kasich told reporters. “He can get people to come who traditionally don’t go. And the last guy I can think of who could do that is Ronald Reagan.” | “It really illustrates for a lot of people that Kasich’s a conservative but he has wide-appeal,” Kasich told reporters. “He can get people to come who traditionally don’t go. And the last guy I can think of who could do that is Ronald Reagan.” |
| 9.03pm GMT | 9.03pm GMT |
| 21:03 | 21:03 |
| Martin Pengelly | Martin Pengelly |
| Guardian US head of news David Taylor is in Iowa. As well as filming Vampire Weekend and Bernie Sanders’ surprise rendition of This Land is Your Land, he has been taking photographs around the campaign trail. A bespoke selection follows… | Guardian US head of news David Taylor is in Iowa. As well as filming Vampire Weekend and Bernie Sanders’ surprise rendition of This Land is Your Land, he has been taking photographs around the campaign trail. A bespoke selection follows… |
| So there you are. Fun bonus fact for American art fans: the farming-type chap with the pitchfork in American Gothic is Grant Wood’s dentist, Dr BH McKeeby. And the woman is the artist’s sister, Nan. | So there you are. Fun bonus fact for American art fans: the farming-type chap with the pitchfork in American Gothic is Grant Wood’s dentist, Dr BH McKeeby. And the woman is the artist’s sister, Nan. |
| As you were. | As you were. |
| 8.27pm GMT | 8.27pm GMT |
| 20:27 | 20:27 |
| Martin Pengelly | Martin Pengelly |
| Following the news from the Bernie Sanders campaign about raising $20m in January, almost entirely from small online contributions of $27, some news from the other end of the donor scale, which is also where many candidates at the other end of the political spectrum are often to be found. | Following the news from the Bernie Sanders campaign about raising $20m in January, almost entirely from small online contributions of $27, some news from the other end of the donor scale, which is also where many candidates at the other end of the political spectrum are often to be found. |
| Conservative Solutions raised more than $30m last year for Marco Rubio, half of it in the last six months of 2015. The Super Pac shared the figure – not actually especially large for Super Pacs and in fact smaller than the sum raised by Sanders in the last quarter of 2015 – before Sunday’s FEC filing deadline. | Conservative Solutions raised more than $30m last year for Marco Rubio, half of it in the last six months of 2015. The Super Pac shared the figure – not actually especially large for Super Pacs and in fact smaller than the sum raised by Sanders in the last quarter of 2015 – before Sunday’s FEC filing deadline. |
| The names of the big Rubio donors, however, are telling. Among them were Paul Singer, the billionaire New York investor who backed Rubio officially in October ($2.5m) and Ken Griffin, an investor from Chicago who announced support for the Florida senator in December ($2.5m). Other seven-figure contributors included Florida car dealer Norman Braman, New York financier Cliff Asness and roofing executive David Humphreys, from Missouri. | The names of the big Rubio donors, however, are telling. Among them were Paul Singer, the billionaire New York investor who backed Rubio officially in October ($2.5m) and Ken Griffin, an investor from Chicago who announced support for the Florida senator in December ($2.5m). Other seven-figure contributors included Florida car dealer Norman Braman, New York financier Cliff Asness and roofing executive David Humphreys, from Missouri. |
| Unlike donations to campaigns, donations to Super Pacs are not limited. Here’s a list of them, which points out that more of them are conservative than liberal. | Unlike donations to campaigns, donations to Super Pacs are not limited. Here’s a list of them, which points out that more of them are conservative than liberal. |
| Conservative Solutions, which like any other Super Pac is not allowed to co-ordinate with the Rubio campaign, said it began 2016 with $14m left to spend. | Conservative Solutions, which like any other Super Pac is not allowed to co-ordinate with the Rubio campaign, said it began 2016 with $14m left to spend. |
| Apropos of nothing in particular, some further reading: | Apropos of nothing in particular, some further reading: |
| Related: Dark Money review: Nazi oil, the Koch brothers and a rightwing revolution | Related: Dark Money review: Nazi oil, the Koch brothers and a rightwing revolution |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.34pm GMT | at 8.34pm GMT |
| 8.14pm GMT | 8.14pm GMT |
| 20:14 | 20:14 |
| Paul Lewis | Paul Lewis |
| Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, made an unusual campaign stop in Iowa on Sunday, at a school gymnasium in Clinton Bluffs, Iowa. | Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, made an unusual campaign stop in Iowa on Sunday, at a school gymnasium in Clinton Bluffs, Iowa. |
| The Republican frontrunner, who has built a campaign on an anti-immigration platform, introduced his Slovenian wife as his “best pollster” for predicting he would win. | The Republican frontrunner, who has built a campaign on an anti-immigration platform, introduced his Slovenian wife as his “best pollster” for predicting he would win. |
| As she walked on stage there were wolf whistles and shouts of “Oh yeah”. | As she walked on stage there were wolf whistles and shouts of “Oh yeah”. |
| “Hello, Iowa it is great to be here,” she said a thick, Eastern European accent. “He will be unbelievable, the best deal maker, the best master negotiator.” | “Hello, Iowa it is great to be here,” she said a thick, Eastern European accent. “He will be unbelievable, the best deal maker, the best master negotiator.” |
| “Thank you honey,” Trump replied. “That’s so nice.” | “Thank you honey,” Trump replied. “That’s so nice.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.29pm GMT | at 8.29pm GMT |
| 7.28pm GMT | 7.28pm GMT |
| 19:28 | 19:28 |
| Sabrina Siddiqui | Sabrina Siddiqui |
| Ted Cruz found himself at the center of controversy this weekend after his campaign distributed mailers that accused Iowa voters and their neighbors, by name, of committing a “violation” by not turning up to previous caucuses. | Ted Cruz found himself at the center of controversy this weekend after his campaign distributed mailers that accused Iowa voters and their neighbors, by name, of committing a “violation” by not turning up to previous caucuses. |
| Related: Cruz campaign draws condemnation for strategy of shaming Iowans to caucus | Related: Cruz campaign draws condemnation for strategy of shaming Iowans to caucus |
| A mailer issued by Marco Rubio’s campaign also hit mailboxes this weekend, although it did not single out voters in the same way. | A mailer issued by Marco Rubio’s campaign also hit mailboxes this weekend, although it did not single out voters in the same way. |
| Though fashioned as a “Voting Report Card”, Rubio’s mailers were also different from Cruz’s in that they pointed out that a voter did not participate in previous elections but did not provide a letter grade. | Though fashioned as a “Voting Report Card”, Rubio’s mailers were also different from Cruz’s in that they pointed out that a voter did not participate in previous elections but did not provide a letter grade. |
| They also did not look like an official record – an issue that earned Cruz a rebuke from Iowa’s Republican secretary of state, who said the Texas senator’s campaign had misrepresented the role of his office. | They also did not look like an official record – an issue that earned Cruz a rebuke from Iowa’s Republican secretary of state, who said the Texas senator’s campaign had misrepresented the role of his office. |
| The Cruz mailer read: “ELECTION ALERT: VOTER VIOLATION”, “PUBLIC RECORD” and “FURTHER ACTION NEEDED”. | The Cruz mailer read: “ELECTION ALERT: VOTER VIOLATION”, “PUBLIC RECORD” and “FURTHER ACTION NEEDED”. |
| The Rubio mailer read: “ | The Rubio mailer read: “ |
| On Saturday, Rubio criticized his Senate colleague by saying that voters who approached him had been “upset” and “disturbed” over such tactics by the Texan’s campaign. | On Saturday, Rubio criticized his Senate colleague by saying that voters who approached him had been “upset” and “disturbed” over such tactics by the Texan’s campaign. |
| Later in the day, Cruz refused to apologize for what he said was simply an effort to boost voter turnout. The two men also traded blows – largely over immigration – on the Sunday talk shows. | Later in the day, Cruz refused to apologize for what he said was simply an effort to boost voter turnout. The two men also traded blows – largely over immigration – on the Sunday talk shows. |
| In the Des Moines Register poll released on Saturday night – and seen as a gold standard for predicting the caucus winners – Cruz was second to Donald Trump, on 23% to 28% for the real-estate mogul. Rubio was third with 15%, with some observers saying his campaign shows signs of building serious momentum. | In the Des Moines Register poll released on Saturday night – and seen as a gold standard for predicting the caucus winners – Cruz was second to Donald Trump, on 23% to 28% for the real-estate mogul. Rubio was third with 15%, with some observers saying his campaign shows signs of building serious momentum. |
| 6.39pm GMT | 6.39pm GMT |
| 18:39 | 18:39 |
| Sanders raises more than $20m | Sanders raises more than $20m |
| The Bernie Sanders campaign has just announced it raised $20m in January, almost entirely from small online contributions of $27. The campaign has received a record 3.25 million individual contributions, more than any other candidate for the president. | The Bernie Sanders campaign has just announced it raised $20m in January, almost entirely from small online contributions of $27. The campaign has received a record 3.25 million individual contributions, more than any other candidate for the president. |
| The Sanders campaign raised almost $33.6m in the fourth quarter of 2015, it said, with 70% coming from contributions of $200 or less. Sanders’ campaign has now surpassed the huge funds raised by Barack Obama’s campaign in the first quarter of 2008, before he defeated Hillary Clinton in the primary election. | The Sanders campaign raised almost $33.6m in the fourth quarter of 2015, it said, with 70% coming from contributions of $200 or less. Sanders’ campaign has now surpassed the huge funds raised by Barack Obama’s campaign in the first quarter of 2008, before he defeated Hillary Clinton in the primary election. |
| Sanders campaign reveals he raised $20m in January from small donors giving $27 each on average. Now has record 3.25 million contributions. | Sanders campaign reveals he raised $20m in January from small donors giving $27 each on average. Now has record 3.25 million contributions. |
| In a press release, the campaign contrasted Sanders’ small funders with the major backers of Clinton, who led him by three points in the final poll before the Iowa caucuses. Citing Federal Election Commission reports, the campaign noted that three of every five dollars given to Clinton came from people who have already given her the maximum $2,700. | In a press release, the campaign contrasted Sanders’ small funders with the major backers of Clinton, who led him by three points in the final poll before the Iowa caucuses. Citing Federal Election Commission reports, the campaign noted that three of every five dollars given to Clinton came from people who have already given her the maximum $2,700. |
| “As Secretary Clinton holds high-dollar fundraisers with the nation’s financial elite,” Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver said, “working Americans chipping in a few dollars each month are not only challenging but beating the greatest fundraising machine ever assembled.” | “As Secretary Clinton holds high-dollar fundraisers with the nation’s financial elite,” Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver said, “working Americans chipping in a few dollars each month are not only challenging but beating the greatest fundraising machine ever assembled.” |
| The campaign also boasted, somewhat disingenuously, that Sanders “has refused to coordinate with a Super Pac” – technically no candidate is allowed to coordinate with such organizations, which can raise unlimited funds on behalf of a preferred campaign or party. Super Pacs have ballooned in the wake of the supreme court’s 2010 Citizens United decision, which Sanders has decried as evidence of the corrupting influence of money in politics. | The campaign also boasted, somewhat disingenuously, that Sanders “has refused to coordinate with a Super Pac” – technically no candidate is allowed to coordinate with such organizations, which can raise unlimited funds on behalf of a preferred campaign or party. Super Pacs have ballooned in the wake of the supreme court’s 2010 Citizens United decision, which Sanders has decried as evidence of the corrupting influence of money in politics. |
| Clinton and most of the Republican candidates have Super Pacs acting on their behalf, one of which says it raised $25m for the former secretary of state in 2015, and $50m so far. Sanders has made Clinton’s complicated relationship with Wall Street a primary if sometimes veiled line of attack, highlighting the large paychecks she received from banks for speaking. | Clinton and most of the Republican candidates have Super Pacs acting on their behalf, one of which says it raised $25m for the former secretary of state in 2015, and $50m so far. Sanders has made Clinton’s complicated relationship with Wall Street a primary if sometimes veiled line of attack, highlighting the large paychecks she received from banks for speaking. |
| Clinton has not yet reported how much money her campaign raised in the fourth quarter of 2015. The former secretary of state took a break from he campaign trail in Iowa and New Hampshire this month to attend a fundraiser in Philadelphia, alongside singer Jon Bon Jovi and finance executives. The price of breakfast at the closed press event ranged from $250 to the maximum contribution of $2,700. | Clinton has not yet reported how much money her campaign raised in the fourth quarter of 2015. The former secretary of state took a break from he campaign trail in Iowa and New Hampshire this month to attend a fundraiser in Philadelphia, alongside singer Jon Bon Jovi and finance executives. The price of breakfast at the closed press event ranged from $250 to the maximum contribution of $2,700. |
| Related: Bernie Sanders campaign raises $33m as candidate sees strong finish to 2015 | Related: Bernie Sanders campaign raises $33m as candidate sees strong finish to 2015 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.49pm GMT | at 6.49pm GMT |
| 5.38pm GMT | 5.38pm GMT |
| 17:38 | 17:38 |
| Summary: Where we're at on left, right and all over | Summary: Where we're at on left, right and all over |
| With less than 12 more hours to go before there’s only about 20 hours to Iowans caucusing madly across the Hawkeye state, here’s a quick summary of developments in the race… | With less than 12 more hours to go before there’s only about 20 hours to Iowans caucusing madly across the Hawkeye state, here’s a quick summary of developments in the race… |
| The Republicans | The Republicans |
| The Democrats | The Democrats |
| Elsewhere | Elsewhere |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.53pm GMT | at 8.53pm GMT |
| 4.54pm GMT | 4.54pm GMT |
| 16:54 | 16:54 |
| Pizza Ranch. Jeb gear. Two minutes of vaguely operatic Americana music that ends with a fadeout of Marco Rubio’s face. They’re just throwing it all at Iowa and seeing what sticks. | Pizza Ranch. Jeb gear. Two minutes of vaguely operatic Americana music that ends with a fadeout of Marco Rubio’s face. They’re just throwing it all at Iowa and seeing what sticks. |
| So nice to get an endorsement from the founder and owner of Pizza Ranch in Iowa! A great guy and great places! #CaucusForTrump | So nice to get an endorsement from the founder and owner of Pizza Ranch in Iowa! A great guy and great places! #CaucusForTrump |
| Definitely won’t find anything cuter to show off our Jeb gear. pic.twitter.com/g6AJvzWAds | Definitely won’t find anything cuter to show off our Jeb gear. pic.twitter.com/g6AJvzWAds |
| When I'm President, America's light will shine again.https://t.co/PzeSRrFTGQ | When I'm President, America's light will shine again.https://t.co/PzeSRrFTGQ |
| 4.45pm GMT | 4.45pm GMT |
| 16:45 | 16:45 |
| Cruz battles 'big corn' | Cruz battles 'big corn' |
| Martin Pengelly | Martin Pengelly |
| More from Edward Helmore’s stint watching Fox News Sunday, which featured a rare person identifiable as neither candidate nor pundit. | More from Edward Helmore’s stint watching Fox News Sunday, which featured a rare person identifiable as neither candidate nor pundit. |
| Long-time Republican Iowa governor Terry Branstad indicated he would be happy with any Republican candidate except Ted Cruz, whose refusal to support ethanol and wind energy subsidies has angered businessmen in the state. | Long-time Republican Iowa governor Terry Branstad indicated he would be happy with any Republican candidate except Ted Cruz, whose refusal to support ethanol and wind energy subsidies has angered businessmen in the state. |
| “We want to grow those jobs,” Branstad said. | “We want to grow those jobs,” Branstad said. |
| On NBC, Cruz was asked about the ethanol issue – an issue, as it happens, which is explained very nicely by Ben Jacobs here. | On NBC, Cruz was asked about the ethanol issue – an issue, as it happens, which is explained very nicely by Ben Jacobs here. |
| Related: Cornball politics: is the sun setting on ethanol as an Iowa caucus decider? | Related: Cornball politics: is the sun setting on ethanol as an Iowa caucus decider? |
| Here’s the exchange: | Here’s the exchange: |
| Cruz: “…the people who are attacking me on this are lobbyists and Democrats. And the reason they’re attacking – | Cruz: “…the people who are attacking me on this are lobbyists and Democrats. And the reason they’re attacking – |
| Chuck Todd: “Terry Branstad, is he a lobbyist or a Democrat?” | Chuck Todd: “Terry Branstad, is he a lobbyist or a Democrat?” |
| Ted Cruz: “No, his son is a lobbyist who makes hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying on ethanol. So his family makes a ton of money.” | Ted Cruz: “No, his son is a lobbyist who makes hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying on ethanol. So his family makes a ton of money.” |
| Branstad’s son, Eric, is “head of America’s Renewable Future, a bipartisan coalition of Iowa ethanol supporters who back the renewable fuel standard (RFS)”. | Branstad’s son, Eric, is “head of America’s Renewable Future, a bipartisan coalition of Iowa ethanol supporters who back the renewable fuel standard (RFS)”. |
| This also from Ben: “In a statement, Branstad said: “Until Cruz pledges to uphold the RFS as the law dictates – not his position to phase it down by 2022 – we will continue to educate Iowa voters about his bad position.” | This also from Ben: “In a statement, Branstad said: “Until Cruz pledges to uphold the RFS as the law dictates – not his position to phase it down by 2022 – we will continue to educate Iowa voters about his bad position.” |
| This from Cruz on NBC: | This from Cruz on NBC: |
| And the lobbyists very much want to keep Iowa focused on the ethanol mandate, because it keeps Iowa dependent on Washington. It means every year, they’ve got to go back to Washington and maintain the mandate. The lobbyists get paid, the politicians get paid. I’m going to eliminate all the subsidies. No subsidies for oil and gas, no subsidies for anybody … [continues for some time] | And the lobbyists very much want to keep Iowa focused on the ethanol mandate, because it keeps Iowa dependent on Washington. It means every year, they’ve got to go back to Washington and maintain the mandate. The lobbyists get paid, the politicians get paid. I’m going to eliminate all the subsidies. No subsidies for oil and gas, no subsidies for anybody … [continues for some time] |
| So it’s not an oil thing. It’s a Washington-insider-cartel thing, of the kind Cruz regularly rails against. | So it’s not an oil thing. It’s a Washington-insider-cartel thing, of the kind Cruz regularly rails against. |
| Either way, being seen as no friend of ethanol isn’t particularly good for one’s chances in Iowa. | Either way, being seen as no friend of ethanol isn’t particularly good for one’s chances in Iowa. |
| Of course, a lot of other people have a lot of other reasons not to support Ted Cruz. | Of course, a lot of other people have a lot of other reasons not to support Ted Cruz. |