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| Iowa caucus: candidates offer last pitch as America (finally) prepares to vote – as it happened | |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| 4.42am GMT | 4.42am GMT |
| 04:42 | 04:42 |
| Where things stand on the eve of the Iowa caucuses | Where things stand on the eve of the Iowa caucuses |
| The candidates have set out their final stalls for Iowans before Monday’s caucus – the first votes of the 2016 election cycle. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are polling within the margin of error of each other, and Donald Trump is similarly tied with Ted Cruz. | The candidates have set out their final stalls for Iowans before Monday’s caucus – the first votes of the 2016 election cycle. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are polling within the margin of error of each other, and Donald Trump is similarly tied with Ted Cruz. |
| Federal funding disclosures Sunday night also highlighted some interesting points in the campaign, especially Jeb Bush’s increasingly dismal fundraising and Donald Trump’s extraordinary hat expenditure. Also revealed was billionaire George Soros’ $6m donation to the Clinton campaign. | Federal funding disclosures Sunday night also highlighted some interesting points in the campaign, especially Jeb Bush’s increasingly dismal fundraising and Donald Trump’s extraordinary hat expenditure. Also revealed was billionaire George Soros’ $6m donation to the Clinton campaign. |
| Tomorrow, Iowa goes to caucus. We’ll be there with non-stop coverage from across the Hawkeye State – and jokes! | Tomorrow, Iowa goes to caucus. We’ll be there with non-stop coverage from across the Hawkeye State – and jokes! |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.52am GMT | at 4.52am GMT |
| 4.30am GMT | 4.30am GMT |
| 04:30 | 04:30 |
| At Ted Cruz’s rally at the Iowa State Fair, in a room that is reportedly turning supporters away at the door because it’s over-capacity, a heckler shouts that he’s “sick” of the Texas senator. | At Ted Cruz’s rally at the Iowa State Fair, in a room that is reportedly turning supporters away at the door because it’s over-capacity, a heckler shouts that he’s “sick” of the Texas senator. |
| "Is that Donald Trump yelling in the back?" Cruz's response to a heckler. | "Is that Donald Trump yelling in the back?" Cruz's response to a heckler. |
| 4.26am GMT | 4.26am GMT |
| 04:26 | 04:26 |
| Sabrina Siddiqui | Sabrina Siddiqui |
| Sabrina Siddiqui reports from Des Moines, where Hillary Clinton made her final pitch on the eve of the Iowa caucuses to a packed gymnasium of roughly 2,600 people - a crowd that was not only among her largest but also rivaling in its enthusiasm the scene that has become synonymous with a Bernie Sanders rally. | Sabrina Siddiqui reports from Des Moines, where Hillary Clinton made her final pitch on the eve of the Iowa caucuses to a packed gymnasium of roughly 2,600 people - a crowd that was not only among her largest but also rivaling in its enthusiasm the scene that has become synonymous with a Bernie Sanders rally. |
| Clinton, facing a second chance at the Democratic nomination, stood before voters in the state that seven years ago handed her a bruising defeat and delivered a resounding speech on the stakes of the presidential election. Accompanied by her husband Bill and daughter Chelsea, the former secretary of state fashioned herself as a pragmatic progressive with a history of accomplishments to match her soaring rhetoric. | Clinton, facing a second chance at the Democratic nomination, stood before voters in the state that seven years ago handed her a bruising defeat and delivered a resounding speech on the stakes of the presidential election. Accompanied by her husband Bill and daughter Chelsea, the former secretary of state fashioned herself as a pragmatic progressive with a history of accomplishments to match her soaring rhetoric. |
| “I hope you will caucus for me. I hope you will fight for me,” Clinton implored. “I will fight for you.” | “I hope you will caucus for me. I hope you will fight for me,” Clinton implored. “I will fight for you.” |
| Hours before Clinton’s final rally, hundreds had already formed a line that wrapped around an entire residential neighborhood. They eventually packed a high school gymnasium, bustling with excitement echoed through their frequent chants of “Hillary! Hillary!” and “I believe she will win.” | Hours before Clinton’s final rally, hundreds had already formed a line that wrapped around an entire residential neighborhood. They eventually packed a high school gymnasium, bustling with excitement echoed through their frequent chants of “Hillary! Hillary!” and “I believe she will win.” |
| The positive mood has traveled with Clinton in her final stretch across Iowa, the state that on Monday will begin the first nominating contest of the 2016 race. Although Clinton remains locked in a competitive battle with Sanders, she holds a slight advantage here over the senator from Vermont. | The positive mood has traveled with Clinton in her final stretch across Iowa, the state that on Monday will begin the first nominating contest of the 2016 race. Although Clinton remains locked in a competitive battle with Sanders, she holds a slight advantage here over the senator from Vermont. |
| The crowd cheered her frequently, but reserved its most thunderous reception for when Clinton ticked through priorities that included defending Planned Parenthood and marriage equality, protecting voting rights, and pushing for criminal justice reform and gun control. | The crowd cheered her frequently, but reserved its most thunderous reception for when Clinton ticked through priorities that included defending Planned Parenthood and marriage equality, protecting voting rights, and pushing for criminal justice reform and gun control. |
| “I’m a better candidate,” she told them, “and, thanks to you, I’ll be a better president.” | “I’m a better candidate,” she told them, “and, thanks to you, I’ll be a better president.” |
| 3.57am GMT | 3.57am GMT |
| 03:57 | 03:57 |
| One fascinating tidbit from Trump’s campaign disclosures - exactly how much the campaign is spending on those famous hats. | One fascinating tidbit from Trump’s campaign disclosures - exactly how much the campaign is spending on those famous hats. |
| Donald Trump's campaign has spent an *incredible* amount of money on hats pic.twitter.com/fkVGyvzdqW | Donald Trump's campaign has spent an *incredible* amount of money on hats pic.twitter.com/fkVGyvzdqW |
| 3.52am GMT | 3.52am GMT |
| 03:52 | 03:52 |
| Donald Trump's FEC disclosures are in | Donald Trump's FEC disclosures are in |
| He has $6.9m in cash on hand as of the end of 2015. | He has $6.9m in cash on hand as of the end of 2015. |
| A large majority of his campaign’s finance was a $10.9m loan to his campaign from Trump himself. He also raised just under $3m in donations. | A large majority of his campaign’s finance was a $10.9m loan to his campaign from Trump himself. He also raised just under $3m in donations. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.53am GMT | at 3.53am GMT |
| 3.48am GMT | 3.48am GMT |
| 03:48 | 03:48 |
| Hillary Clinton finishes her speech in Des Moines. “I will fight for you,” she says, in a fiery speech which set out her stall for Iowa voters before tomorrow’s caucuses. | Hillary Clinton finishes her speech in Des Moines. “I will fight for you,” she says, in a fiery speech which set out her stall for Iowa voters before tomorrow’s caucuses. |
| 3.41am GMT | 3.41am GMT |
| 03:41 | 03:41 |
| The crowd is getting more and more fired-up in Des Moines for Clinton. | The crowd is getting more and more fired-up in Des Moines for Clinton. |
| Thunderous applause as HRC says: "I will defend Planned Parenthood. I will defend marriage equality. I will protect voting rights." | Thunderous applause as HRC says: "I will defend Planned Parenthood. I will defend marriage equality. I will protect voting rights." |
| “Let’s take on the gun lobby! Let’s stand and vote for common sense,” she says. | “Let’s take on the gun lobby! Let’s stand and vote for common sense,” she says. |
| The crowd also erupts when Clinton vows to take on the gun lobby. | The crowd also erupts when Clinton vows to take on the gun lobby. |
| 3.39am GMT | 3.39am GMT |
| 03:39 | 03:39 |
| Clinton aiming to put clear water between herself and Sanders on healthcare, saying that she would make Obamacare – which she says was previously “known as Hillarycare” work, rather than “start a contentious national debate.” | Clinton aiming to put clear water between herself and Sanders on healthcare, saying that she would make Obamacare – which she says was previously “known as Hillarycare” work, rather than “start a contentious national debate.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.04am GMT | at 4.04am GMT |
| 3.29am GMT | 3.29am GMT |
| 03:29 | 03:29 |
| Hillary Clinton in Des Moines: "I will not raise middle class taxes -- absolutely off the table. I will follow the money to the top." | Hillary Clinton in Des Moines: "I will not raise middle class taxes -- absolutely off the table. I will follow the money to the top." |
| Clinton’s livestream on MSNBC just dropped because of “technical difficulties” | Clinton’s livestream on MSNBC just dropped because of “technical difficulties” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.29am GMT | at 3.29am GMT |
| 3.28am GMT | 3.28am GMT |
| 03:28 | 03:28 |
| Two different views on Hillary Clinton’s rally tonight, from pollster Frank Luntz and Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan: | Two different views on Hillary Clinton’s rally tonight, from pollster Frank Luntz and Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan: |
| Hillary is talking right now in Des Moines like someone who's seen private polling telling her she will win. Laying down policy markers.../1 | Hillary is talking right now in Des Moines like someone who's seen private polling telling her she will win. Laying down policy markers.../1 |
| Enacting certitude, confidence. Focused. She is laying down the video they will repeat all tomorrow leading up to the early returns. /2 | Enacting certitude, confidence. Focused. She is laying down the video they will repeat all tomorrow leading up to the early returns. /2 |
| Hillary's crowd tonite is big too, but not as raucous as Bernie's.Turnout and enthusiasm are needed for #IAcaucus. pic.twitter.com/l4TogzKYnU | Hillary's crowd tonite is big too, but not as raucous as Bernie's.Turnout and enthusiasm are needed for #IAcaucus. pic.twitter.com/l4TogzKYnU |
| 3.24am GMT | 3.24am GMT |
| 03:24 | 03:24 |
| Edward Helmore and David Taylor have written a delightful run-down of the underdogs going into the primary, who are putting on brave faces despite daunting poll gaps. | Edward Helmore and David Taylor have written a delightful run-down of the underdogs going into the primary, who are putting on brave faces despite daunting poll gaps. |
| Touring the state he won eight years ago, meanwhile, Republican Mike Huckabeeprojected the aura of a tired heritage act as he spoke to Iowans in small-town clubs and bars. | Touring the state he won eight years ago, meanwhile, Republican Mike Huckabeeprojected the aura of a tired heritage act as he spoke to Iowans in small-town clubs and bars. |
| One part preacher to two parts stand-up guy, the former Arkansas governor charmed the room at the Inspired Grounds coffee shop in West Des Moines. But after visiting all 99 counties these past eight months, he is nowhere in the polls. | One part preacher to two parts stand-up guy, the former Arkansas governor charmed the room at the Inspired Grounds coffee shop in West Des Moines. But after visiting all 99 counties these past eight months, he is nowhere in the polls. |
| “I’m going to be glad,” he told the gathering, “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,” he told the gathering, “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.” |
| 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. |
| You can read the whole piece here. | You can read the whole piece here. |
| 3.18am GMT | 3.18am GMT |
| 03:18 | 03:18 |
| Clinton's first campaign event was a small meeting in Iowa. Here's her final rally in the state pre-caucuses pic.twitter.com/BuSkP28N4N | Clinton's first campaign event was a small meeting in Iowa. Here's her final rally in the state pre-caucuses pic.twitter.com/BuSkP28N4N |
| Hillary very fired-up. She is currently saying she believes we can bring back manufacturing to America - echoing, in an indirect way, what Donald Trump has been saying on the stump, when he talks about making Apple make phones in the US, rather than China. | Hillary very fired-up. She is currently saying she believes we can bring back manufacturing to America - echoing, in an indirect way, what Donald Trump has been saying on the stump, when he talks about making Apple make phones in the US, rather than China. |
| 3.16am GMT | 3.16am GMT |
| 03:16 | 03:16 |
| Clinton, in Des Moines, is leaning heavily on Obama’s legacy. “I don’t think President Obama got the recognition he deserves for making sure America didn’t fall into another Great Depression,” she says. | Clinton, in Des Moines, is leaning heavily on Obama’s legacy. “I don’t think President Obama got the recognition he deserves for making sure America didn’t fall into another Great Depression,” she says. |
| 3.14am GMT | 3.14am GMT |
| 03:14 | 03:14 |
| Meanwhile in South Carolina, scheduled to primary soon after New Hampshire, Marco Rubio received an extremely important endorsement - from wildly popular congressman and Benghazi committee chair Trey Gowdy, who is currently stumping for him in the state. | Meanwhile in South Carolina, scheduled to primary soon after New Hampshire, Marco Rubio received an extremely important endorsement - from wildly popular congressman and Benghazi committee chair Trey Gowdy, who is currently stumping for him in the state. |
| Over 100 voters pack the Halligan Tavern in Derry to see @TGowdySC stump for @marcorubio #nhpolitics #fitn pic.twitter.com/nbSDALjz7M | Over 100 voters pack the Halligan Tavern in Derry to see @TGowdySC stump for @marcorubio #nhpolitics #fitn pic.twitter.com/nbSDALjz7M |
| 3.14am GMT | 3.14am GMT |
| 03:14 | 03:14 |
| “But I also know that over the last days I have people come up to me who still haven’t made up their minds,” Clinton continues. “I’ve had them ask a question, and then have them say they will support me.” | “But I also know that over the last days I have people come up to me who still haven’t made up their minds,” Clinton continues. “I’ve had them ask a question, and then have them say they will support me.” |
| “I feel so strongly, we can’t afford ot make a mistake,” she says. She asks the audience to think about “what the Republican candidates are speaking about.” | “I feel so strongly, we can’t afford ot make a mistake,” she says. She asks the audience to think about “what the Republican candidates are speaking about.” |
| She says that the American economy is better with a Democrat in the White House. “In my husband’s case, it was a recession, the quadrupling of the national debt ... when he got to Washington, someone said, what do you uniquely bring to Washington? He said: arithmetic. We’re going to make it add up for everybody.” | She says that the American economy is better with a Democrat in the White House. “In my husband’s case, it was a recession, the quadrupling of the national debt ... when he got to Washington, someone said, what do you uniquely bring to Washington? He said: arithmetic. We’re going to make it add up for everybody.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.14am GMT | at 3.14am GMT |
| 3.11am GMT | 3.11am GMT |
| 03:11 | 03:11 |
| Hillary Clinton is speaking in Des Moines, Iowa | Hillary Clinton is speaking in Des Moines, Iowa |
| “I am so thrilled to have my husband and my daughter here,” Clinton says. | “I am so thrilled to have my husband and my daughter here,” Clinton says. |
| I am proud to have the support of so many Iowans. Also as Bill was saying, friends, former colleagues who have come here this weekend because they know what’s at stake in this election. | I am proud to have the support of so many Iowans. Also as Bill was saying, friends, former colleagues who have come here this weekend because they know what’s at stake in this election. |
| 3.08am GMT | 3.08am GMT |
| 03:08 | 03:08 |
| The FEC filings for Hillary Clinton’s super-PAC, Priorities USA Action, are out. | The FEC filings for Hillary Clinton’s super-PAC, Priorities USA Action, are out. |
| As you might expect, they have a lot of money - $35m cash on hand at the end of December 2015. Clinton’s campaign disclosures, however, are not yet released - they are due soon. | As you might expect, they have a lot of money - $35m cash on hand at the end of December 2015. Clinton’s campaign disclosures, however, are not yet released - they are due soon. |
| 2.59am GMT | 2.59am GMT |
| 02:59 | 02:59 |
| Bill and Chelsea Clinton take the stage in Des Moines to introduce Hillary for her final rally before tomorrow. | Bill and Chelsea Clinton take the stage in Des Moines to introduce Hillary for her final rally before tomorrow. |
| Bill and Chelsea Clinton take the stage in Des Moines pic.twitter.com/VF6sVDe5jl | Bill and Chelsea Clinton take the stage in Des Moines pic.twitter.com/VF6sVDe5jl |
| Bill and Chelsea Clinton in Des Moines pic.twitter.com/Du4JV4sP3t | Bill and Chelsea Clinton in Des Moines pic.twitter.com/Du4JV4sP3t |
| 2.54am GMT | 2.54am GMT |
| 02:54 | 02:54 |
| A fascinating nugget from Rick Santorum’s FEC disclosures spotted by Politico’s Ken Vogel: the candidate loaned his own campaign $24,000 at the end of December last year. | A fascinating nugget from Rick Santorum’s FEC disclosures spotted by Politico’s Ken Vogel: the candidate loaned his own campaign $24,000 at the end of December last year. |
| This is particularly poignant because Santorum’s own disclosures, Vogel points out, show him as having negative net worth... | This is particularly poignant because Santorum’s own disclosures, Vogel points out, show him as having negative net worth... |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.55am GMT | at 2.55am GMT |
| 2.51am GMT | 2.51am GMT |
| 02:51 | 02:51 |
| Hillary Clinton is set to speak soon at Abraham Lincoln High School in Des Moines: | Hillary Clinton is set to speak soon at Abraham Lincoln High School in Des Moines: |
| The crowd waiting for Hillary, Bill and Chelsea Clinton in Des Moines. 2600 folks, campaign says. pic.twitter.com/wFayez4gIS | The crowd waiting for Hillary, Bill and Chelsea Clinton in Des Moines. 2600 folks, campaign says. pic.twitter.com/wFayez4gIS |
| 2.41am GMT | 2.41am GMT |
| 02:41 | 02:41 |
| A farewell to Rick Santorum? | A farewell to Rick Santorum? |
| Ben Jacobs | Ben Jacobs |
| Lest you forget, the long-shot former senator from Pennsylvania Rick Santorum won Iowa last time around, besting Mitt Romney. Political reporter Ben Jacobs has this update alongside the reigning champ, filing from Urbandale, Iowa: | Lest you forget, the long-shot former senator from Pennsylvania Rick Santorum won Iowa last time around, besting Mitt Romney. Political reporter Ben Jacobs has this update alongside the reigning champ, filing from Urbandale, Iowa: |
| Rick Santorum's last Iowa town hall at a Pizza Ranch pic.twitter.com/LyerHEtwSW | Rick Santorum's last Iowa town hall at a Pizza Ranch pic.twitter.com/LyerHEtwSW |
| Just like four year ago, Rick Santorum held his last event before the Iowa caucuses at a Pizza Ranch in suburban Des Moines. Then, as Santorum was on the verge of a historic upset, he drew a massive crowd that packed the local Iowa chain restaurant. Groups of reporters were pinned against the salad bar as movement was almost impossible and the candidate had to give two different speeches, one with a bullhorn. | Just like four year ago, Rick Santorum held his last event before the Iowa caucuses at a Pizza Ranch in suburban Des Moines. Then, as Santorum was on the verge of a historic upset, he drew a massive crowd that packed the local Iowa chain restaurant. Groups of reporters were pinned against the salad bar as movement was almost impossible and the candidate had to give two different speeches, one with a bullhorn. |
| Four years later, the mood was totally different. This was no campaign rally. It was a wake. | Four years later, the mood was totally different. This was no campaign rally. It was a wake. |
| Santorum filled the party room at a Pizza Ranch just miles from the site of his pre-caucus rally in 2012 – and only a handful of reporters were present. The parking lot, though, was filled with Santorum bumper stickers from all over. These were the loyal supporters: staff members, volunteers, even longtime-mega donor Foster Friess. These were the people who had been with Santorum since he was at 2% percent in the polls back in 2011 and stood by him throughout the political roller coaster ride that followed. | Santorum filled the party room at a Pizza Ranch just miles from the site of his pre-caucus rally in 2012 – and only a handful of reporters were present. The parking lot, though, was filled with Santorum bumper stickers from all over. These were the loyal supporters: staff members, volunteers, even longtime-mega donor Foster Friess. These were the people who had been with Santorum since he was at 2% percent in the polls back in 2011 and stood by him throughout the political roller coaster ride that followed. |
| They are with him again now, back at 2%. | They are with him again now, back at 2%. |
| In both of his campaigns, Santorum had twice made the retail campaigning mega-tour of visiting each of Iowa’s 99 counties. In 2012, it gave him the grassroots support that he needed to win. In 2016, Santorum’s long haul means nothing as Ted Cruz usurps his role as the candidate of social conservatives and Donald Trump has swallowed up all the media attention. | In both of his campaigns, Santorum had twice made the retail campaigning mega-tour of visiting each of Iowa’s 99 counties. In 2012, it gave him the grassroots support that he needed to win. In 2016, Santorum’s long haul means nothing as Ted Cruz usurps his role as the candidate of social conservatives and Donald Trump has swallowed up all the media attention. |
| Santorum arrived insisting he was going to do a real town hall. After all, he noted he had performed 700 events like this one in the past five years and was going to end on a strong note. He maintained confidence that he could somehow pull off another even more improbable upset, noting that 36% of his supporters made up their mind on caucus night in 2012 and that even more people could still be persuaded this year. | Santorum arrived insisting he was going to do a real town hall. After all, he noted he had performed 700 events like this one in the past five years and was going to end on a strong note. He maintained confidence that he could somehow pull off another even more improbable upset, noting that 36% of his supporters made up their mind on caucus night in 2012 and that even more people could still be persuaded this year. |
| He noted that the undercard debates, all of which he participated in, had demeaned the second-tier polling candidates. To Santorum, there was a need for “serious candidates to be taken seriously”. He dismissed polls and instead Iowans to “vote your convictions”. | He noted that the undercard debates, all of which he participated in, had demeaned the second-tier polling candidates. To Santorum, there was a need for “serious candidates to be taken seriously”. He dismissed polls and instead Iowans to “vote your convictions”. |
| By the end of Sunday night’s wake, it became more of a valedictory. Santorum was made an honorary Pizza Ranch employee. His campaign chairman noted that he had been to 120 different locations for the restaurant. He was presented with a Pizza Ranch t-shirt – a fleece, too. | By the end of Sunday night’s wake, it became more of a valedictory. Santorum was made an honorary Pizza Ranch employee. His campaign chairman noted that he had been to 120 different locations for the restaurant. He was presented with a Pizza Ranch t-shirt – a fleece, too. |
| Rick Santorum is made an honorary Pizza Ranch employee pic.twitter.com/TeP9tg4xJ9 | Rick Santorum is made an honorary Pizza Ranch employee pic.twitter.com/TeP9tg4xJ9 |
| Santorum told attendees that he liked campaigning in Iowa “beyond measure and I have learned so much from it”. He hoped to come back to a Pizza Ranch next time. | Santorum told attendees that he liked campaigning in Iowa “beyond measure and I have learned so much from it”. He hoped to come back to a Pizza Ranch next time. |
| “When I come in on Air Force One,” he joked, “there may not be as many of these types of deals.” | “When I come in on Air Force One,” he joked, “there may not be as many of these types of deals.” |
| When Trump made his lone appearance at a Pizza Ranch earlier in January, the company’s CEO Adrie Groeneweg appeared to endorse Trump. Santorum got the honorary swag from his own campaign staffers. | When Trump made his lone appearance at a Pizza Ranch earlier in January, the company’s CEO Adrie Groeneweg appeared to endorse Trump. Santorum got the honorary swag from his own campaign staffers. |
| All the same, Santorum seemed grateful. He was moved by the presentation, and stayed to take selfies with well-wishers and supporters long after he stopped speaking. | All the same, Santorum seemed grateful. He was moved by the presentation, and stayed to take selfies with well-wishers and supporters long after he stopped speaking. |
| One Pizza Ranch miracle had worked before, he figured; there was no reason for him to suppose that it couldn’t happen again. | One Pizza Ranch miracle had worked before, he figured; there was no reason for him to suppose that it couldn’t happen again. |
| Related: Iowa underdogs put on brave faces despite all but inevitable defeats | Related: Iowa underdogs put on brave faces despite all but inevitable defeats |
| 2.40am GMT | 2.40am GMT |
| 02:40 | 02:40 |
| Dan Roberts | Dan Roberts |
| Sanders has just wrapped up his rally at Grand View University in Des Moines. | Sanders has just wrapped up his rally at Grand View University in Des Moines. |
| Bernie Sanders's latest eye-popping crowd in Iowa https://t.co/1Lx2h8ilnH pic.twitter.com/pbj1d7uR1p | Bernie Sanders's latest eye-popping crowd in Iowa https://t.co/1Lx2h8ilnH pic.twitter.com/pbj1d7uR1p |
| Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts reports from the scene: | Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts reports from the scene: |
| Having heard Sanders speak more than 30 times over the last year, I can faithfully report that he did not diverge an inch from his standard stump speech during tonight’s last rally before the Iowa caucus. | Having heard Sanders speak more than 30 times over the last year, I can faithfully report that he did not diverge an inch from his standard stump speech during tonight’s last rally before the Iowa caucus. |
| Even Bernie is clearly tiring of repeating himself – “Let me say it for the umpteenth time. I believe healthcare is a right not a privilege” – but even in a room full of his most ardent supporters here in Des Moines, there are still plenty of people hearing it for the first time. | Even Bernie is clearly tiring of repeating himself – “Let me say it for the umpteenth time. I believe healthcare is a right not a privilege” – but even in a room full of his most ardent supporters here in Des Moines, there are still plenty of people hearing it for the first time. |
| “Can you believe, his average donation is just $27,” says the guy next to me. Well, yes, I can actually because he reminds me everywhere I go. | “Can you believe, his average donation is just $27,” says the guy next to me. Well, yes, I can actually because he reminds me everywhere I go. |
| The highly-disciplined messaging strategy appears to be very effective with voters however. | The highly-disciplined messaging strategy appears to be very effective with voters however. |
| I met another supporter in Waterloo today who had heard Sanders speak three times and said none of it surprised him him any more, he just liked hearing the dreams. Increasingly many in the audience are beginning to finish the senator’s sentences. | I met another supporter in Waterloo today who had heard Sanders speak three times and said none of it surprised him him any more, he just liked hearing the dreams. Increasingly many in the audience are beginning to finish the senator’s sentences. |
| Iowa campaign co-ordinator Pete D’Allesandro reminds the crowd how far they have come: “When we started this we had three people, we had no name recognition and no money, and we were 50 points down in the polls” | Iowa campaign co-ordinator Pete D’Allesandro reminds the crowd how far they have come: “When we started this we had three people, we had no name recognition and no money, and we were 50 points down in the polls” |
| The official crowd count here at Grand View University is 1,700, but there are many more outside who cannot get in. If, and it’s a big if, this turnout and enthusiasm is matched across the state in caucuses tomorrow, this race is not over yet. | The official crowd count here at Grand View University is 1,700, but there are many more outside who cannot get in. If, and it’s a big if, this turnout and enthusiasm is matched across the state in caucuses tomorrow, this race is not over yet. |
| 2.37am GMT | 2.37am GMT |
| 02:37 | 02:37 |
| On MSNBC, Hillary Clinton is speaking to Rachel Maddow and Brian Williams over the phone. Maddow asks if a tactical decision has been taken to keep Martin O’Malley’s campaign viable to prevent his supporters defecting to Bernie Sanders. | On MSNBC, Hillary Clinton is speaking to Rachel Maddow and Brian Williams over the phone. Maddow asks if a tactical decision has been taken to keep Martin O’Malley’s campaign viable to prevent his supporters defecting to Bernie Sanders. |
| “It’s the first I’ve heard of that,” Clinton says. | “It’s the first I’ve heard of that,” Clinton says. |
| Asked about Sanders’ fundraising numbers - he raised $20m in a single month last year - Clinton tells Maddow she isn’t worried. “I’m not only raising money for myself, I’m raising money to help Democrats up and down the ballot,” she says. “We will have the resources to compete. We have a lot of momentum, and I’m looking forward to the week ahead.” | Asked about Sanders’ fundraising numbers - he raised $20m in a single month last year - Clinton tells Maddow she isn’t worried. “I’m not only raising money for myself, I’m raising money to help Democrats up and down the ballot,” she says. “We will have the resources to compete. We have a lot of momentum, and I’m looking forward to the week ahead.” |
| “I’d thought this was going to be a good contest, and it’s certainly turning into one,” she adds. | “I’d thought this was going to be a good contest, and it’s certainly turning into one,” she adds. |
| 2.29am GMT | 2.29am GMT |
| 02:29 | 02:29 |
| Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, on the eve of the Iowa caucuses, one-time frontrunner and early Trump casualty Scott Walker has found a way to take his mind off the primaries. | Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, on the eve of the Iowa caucuses, one-time frontrunner and early Trump casualty Scott Walker has found a way to take his mind off the primaries. |
| Wow. #GreaseLive is good. | Wow. #GreaseLive is good. |
| Kinda heartbreaking, huh. | Kinda heartbreaking, huh. |