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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) | |
| 1.49am GMT | |
| 01:49 | |
| Bernie Sanders is speaking in Des Moines | |
| “Iowans have a unique role to play in the presidential process, and they take taht responsibility very seriously,” the Vermont senator says. | |
| The live feed is still down - the guy is currently complaining that the government has purposefully damaged infrastructure in this country. But Dan is on the scene, so we’ll have a more detailed report for you soon. | |
| In the meantime, Sanders appears to be campaigning on the dating app Tinder, so you can catch him there: | |
| Raleigh woman surprised by Bernie Sanders appearing on her Tinder app. He's looking for votes, not a date. pic.twitter.com/oyW5q5nBrP | |
| 1.39am GMT | |
| 01:39 | |
| Iowa is set for a snowstorm tomorrow, according to weather reports. | |
| Caucuses begin at 7PM central time, roughly at the same time as the National Weather Service has issued blizzard watch warnings for across much of the state, with parts of Iowa forecast six to 18 inches of snow. | |
| Whether this will have an effect on caucus turnout is difficult to say, but it’s going to get pretty snowy in the Hawkeye state tomorrow evening. | |
| 1.33am GMT | |
| 01:33 | |
| It’s interesting to compare the venues of Bernie Sanders’ and Hillary Clinton’s rallies in Iowa this evening. Sanders is at Grand View University in Waterloo, Iowa: | |
| Bernie's last rally before caucus night almost as big as last night but more practically-focused: "Bring everyone" pic.twitter.com/nZN10MTnNi | |
| Clinton will speak at Abraham Lincoln high school in Des Moines, in what looks to be a considerably more modest space: | |
| Here is the venue for Hillary Clinton's final rally in Iowa: Abraham Lincoln High School in Des Moines. pic.twitter.com/jujarlTRtZ | |
| 1.31am GMT | |
| 01:31 | |
| More Google data here; these live-updated charts show search interest in candidates across the state of Iowa right now: | |
| 1.29am GMT | |
| 01:29 | |
| Trump is on the phone with MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough right now, absolutely slamming Ted Cruz, his main rival in the polls in the first caucus state. | |
| It’s interesting, in Canada, he said he didnt know he was a Canadian citizen ... said he didn’t know about his loan from Goldman Sachs. This guy is a lying guy, he’s hated by everyone. Can’t get the endorsement from the governor of Texas ... [he is running] ads that are unbelievably untrue. | |
| 1.26am GMT | |
| 01:26 | |
| Dan Roberts | |
| Bernie Sanders is about to speak at a rally in Waterloo, Iowa right now, and Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts is on the scene. | |
| Dan reports that organisers at the last Bernie Sanders rally before caucus night are focused heavily on reminding the audience where to go and what to do tomorrow night. | |
| “Stand in the corner with the Bernie stuff, get there early and have fun,” one young volunteer tells the enthusiastic crowd at Grand View University in Des Moines. | |
| Crucially she reminds them of an often forgotten feature of a campaign that has so many students on its side: “If you are 17 but old enough to vote in the general election in November, you can caucus.” | |
| “Don’t forget to bring a friend, or two... or everyone you know,” she adds. | |
| Others are blunter still. “Say no to the big shots, the bastards and the bullshitters,” urges progressive radio host Jim Hightower. | |
| Another key supporter, national nurses union leader RoseAnn DeMoro, has harsh words for Hillary Clinton’s attempt to suggest Sanders wants to “dismantle” Obamacare health reforms. | |
| “What is disgraceful is another candidate is telling us that guaranteed, universal health care ‘will never, ever happen’,” saiys DeMoro. “For nurses, turning your back on suffering is the worst crime you can commit.” | |
| There is little love lost between the two, especially after Clinton attack chief David Brock accused DeMoro of breaking Sanders’ rule not to use Super Pacsin his campaign. | |
| “We are not a Super Pac,” an indignant DeMoro tells The Guardian. “This is ordinary members contributing dues and we use that money to engage nurses in the campaign.. It’s an independent expenditure PAC and it’s not just for Bernie, it’s how we do our political work.” | |
| The feed for Sanders’ event is cutting in and out - an announcer is saying “this is [because of] the privatisation of your internet, privatisation of your bandwidth.” It’s here, when it’s running: | |
| 1.16am GMT | 1.16am GMT |
| 01:16 | 01:16 |
| Less than 24 hours until caucus time in Iowa | 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. | 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 | Election = 6,768 hours away https://t.co/Fmr8AGoOb2 |
| But who’s counting? | But who’s counting? |
| Ted Cruz checks his watch. 24 hours, 30 minutes until the caucuses begin. "This entire long, crazy journey is coming to an end." | |
| I think he meant "Our long national nightmare is over," but sure. https://t.co/YC50JzTw6T | I think he meant "Our long national nightmare is over," but sure. https://t.co/YC50JzTw6T |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.22am GMT | |
| 1.06am GMT | 1.06am GMT |
| 01:06 | 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. | 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 | 1.04am GMT |
| 01:04 | 01:04 |
| Ted Cruz’s federal fundraising data is out | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | Updated |
| at 1.16am GMT | at 1.16am GMT |
| 12.53am GMT | 12.53am GMT |
| 00:53 | 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. | 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 | 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: | 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 | A full room for @tedcruz's rally here at Adventure Community Church in Davenport, Iowa. pic.twitter.com/KBdBc4GSjl |
| 12.50am GMT | 12.50am GMT |
| 00:50 | 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. | 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. | 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.” | “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. | You can read the full story here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.58am GMT | 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 |