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| Sanders and Cruz make final Iowa dash to beat Clinton and Trump – campaign live | Sanders and Cruz make final Iowa dash to beat Clinton and Trump – campaign live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.19pm GMT | |
| 16:19 | |
| More Trump! | |
| This time he was speaking to Fox News Sunday, which Edward Helmore was watching… | |
| With 29% of likely Republican caucus goers In Iowa saying they disapproved of Trump’s decision to skip the Fox debate last week, the candidate said he had no regrets: | |
| You have to stick up for your rights. You cant let people do that. We raised $6m for the vets. It was great decision and I’m happy about it. | |
| Trump rejected accusations leveled by Ted Cruz that he skipped the debate to hide his liberal voting record and defended past contributions to the Clinton Foundation that records suggest reached as much as $250,000. Trump said he understood the Clintons were engaged with reconstruction in Haiti, not renting private aircraft. | |
| “I was a businessman and it was my obligation to get along with everyone,” he said. | |
| He also welcomed polls that suggest 52% of white evangelicals believe he could be a “good or great president” – good news for a candidate who has been dogged by questions about his faith – or perceived lack of it. | |
| “I’m more honored by that than even my lead in the polls,” he said. “We have a great relationship. It’s a turning point. I’m a Christian. I’m very happy about that.” | |
| Related: Trump Bible reference falls flat as he tries to woo evangelicals at Liberty | |
| Trump also said he would look favourably on efforts to return decision-making on same-sex marriage to individual states. | |
| 4.06pm GMT | |
| 16:06 | |
| Sanders: 'Clinton will be the problem' | |
| Sanders makes a quick appearance on the NBC program, and Chuck Todd questions the senator sharply on his healthcare-and-taxes proposal. He airs a clip of Clinton suggesting that Sanders’ plan is a fantasy “that’s never going to happen”. | |
| You know, Chuck, Chuck, let’s just look at the facts. The facts are that we are spending far more than other countries on healthcare. My proposal will save middle class families thousands of dollars a year on their healthcare costs. Most people tell me, yes, they would be happy to pay $1,000 more in taxes if they’re paying $5,000 less in healthcare premiums. | |
| So you know, this is an issue where we have got to control healthcare costs, guarantee healthcare to all people, and do what every other major country on earth is doing. We have got to take on the drug companies who are ripping us off and the private insurance companies. | |
| Todd brings up a comment by representative Nancy Pelosi that suggests she doesn’t want Sanders as the Democratic nominee. “And you don’t think you’re going to be a problem for House Democrats who don’t want to run on raising taxes?” | |
| “No,” Sanders says. “I think in fact, Hillary Clinton will be the problem.” | |
| He says it comes down to the way voter turnout can swing a national election: | |
| Because I think our campaign is the campaign that is generating excitement and energy that will result in a high voter turnout. Republicans win when voter turnout is low. Democrats win when voter turnout is high. I think our campaign is raising issue about a rigged economy, a corrupt campaign finance system. | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.19pm GMT | |
| 3.52pm GMT | |
| 15:52 | |
| Marco Rubio takes an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, where host Chuck Todd asks him about comments he made in 2006 regarding Florida’s willingness to embrace cap-and-trade emissions regulation. | |
| “I do not support big mandates,” Rubio says. He argues that he was always against it but worried at the time that federal regulation would come down to the states. “If they [mandate regulation] we have to be prepared to comply,” he tells Todd. “You didn’t play the full clip.” | |
| Rubio says Republicans and Democrats can indeed get along sometimes: “I do think there’s a bipartisan way,” he says, using student loan debt as an example. “There’s a chance to work together and you don’t have to betray your principles, you work together.” | |
| Finally Todd talks up Rubio’s decent poll numbers and (paraphrasing here) says: You’re popular. People find you favorable. Why aren’t you winning? | |
| Rubio answers by saying he just plans to win “more delegates than anyone else”, even though the road may be long and dark. “I don’t think you’re really going to get clarity in this race for a while.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.11pm GMT | |
| 3.43pm GMT | 3.43pm GMT |
| 15:43 | 15:43 |
| Martin Pengelly | Martin Pengelly |
| Mitt Romney – remember him – has been doing jokes again. This, with (appropriate terminology alert) a hat-tip to the hallowed Politico Playbook email from Mike Allen, is from Romney’s speech to the 103rd Alfalfa Club dinner in Washington DC on Saturday night: | Mitt Romney – remember him – has been doing jokes again. This, with (appropriate terminology alert) a hat-tip to the hallowed Politico Playbook email from Mike Allen, is from Romney’s speech to the 103rd Alfalfa Club dinner in Washington DC on Saturday night: |
| Some have speculated that my religion might have played a part in my defeat. I wondered about that myself, but most of my wives said they didn’t think so…There are six words Hillary hopes to hear a year from now: ‘Place your hand on the Bible.’ The five words she FEARS she’ll hear a year from now: ‘Will the defendant please rise?’ ... Bernie Sanders ... looks like one of those 1960s folksingers who does specials on PBS during pledge week. I will say this about a Sanders presidency: I will sleep better at night knowing Peter, Paul and Mary are running the government. | Some have speculated that my religion might have played a part in my defeat. I wondered about that myself, but most of my wives said they didn’t think so…There are six words Hillary hopes to hear a year from now: ‘Place your hand on the Bible.’ The five words she FEARS she’ll hear a year from now: ‘Will the defendant please rise?’ ... Bernie Sanders ... looks like one of those 1960s folksingers who does specials on PBS during pledge week. I will say this about a Sanders presidency: I will sleep better at night knowing Peter, Paul and Mary are running the government. |
| What is the Alfalfa Club, you ask? Something that sounds an appropriate setting for a Monopoly board-esque, Gilded Age-throwback billionaire who uses words like “varmints”, I say. | What is the Alfalfa Club, you ask? Something that sounds an appropriate setting for a Monopoly board-esque, Gilded Age-throwback billionaire who uses words like “varmints”, I say. |
| In all seriousness, according to the Washington Post the Alfalfa Club is “a secretive private club that meets just once a year, has no official purpose, and is named after a plant that will do almost anything for a drink”. | In all seriousness, according to the Washington Post the Alfalfa Club is “a secretive private club that meets just once a year, has no official purpose, and is named after a plant that will do almost anything for a drink”. |
| It’s elite, it was founded in 1913… and again according to the Post “it’s a cross-section of power brokers so influential that almost every president has made a pilgrimage to the annual gathering”. Obama has, duly, addressed it. | It’s elite, it was founded in 1913… and again according to the Post “it’s a cross-section of power brokers so influential that almost every president has made a pilgrimage to the annual gathering”. Obama has, duly, addressed it. |
| Ah, democracy. | Ah, democracy. |
| 3.42pm GMT | 3.42pm GMT |
| 15:42 | 15:42 |
| Next, Sanders tells Stephanopoulos he “won’t politicize” questions about whether Clinton may have compromised classified information by using a private email server while secretary of state. | |
| He repeats what he said on CNN: that there’s “a legal process” going on and he doesn’t want to get into it. | He repeats what he said on CNN: that there’s “a legal process” going on and he doesn’t want to get into it. |
| He concludes by saying he’s great friends with Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and that he wants to build on their legacy. | He concludes by saying he’s great friends with Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and that he wants to build on their legacy. |
| Updated | |
| at 4.10pm GMT | |
| 3.40pm GMT | 3.40pm GMT |
| 15:40 | 15:40 |
| The ABC host asks Sanders about the New York Times’ endorsement of Clinton, and its description of his ideas as too extreme to work. | |
| I respond to it by saying that every proposal I am bringing forth is in fact supported by the vast majority of the American people. The problem is that Congress is so dominated by big money interests they are much more concerned about campaign contributions than they are about [the middle class]. | I respond to it by saying that every proposal I am bringing forth is in fact supported by the vast majority of the American people. The problem is that Congress is so dominated by big money interests they are much more concerned about campaign contributions than they are about [the middle class]. |
| “These are not radical ideas, George,” he says, mentioning tax hikes for the wealthiest, healthcare reform, lowering education costs and several other plans. He concedes it’s “a fair question” to ask how effectively the government can take on drug companies and Wall Street. | “These are not radical ideas, George,” he says, mentioning tax hikes for the wealthiest, healthcare reform, lowering education costs and several other plans. He concedes it’s “a fair question” to ask how effectively the government can take on drug companies and Wall Street. |
| But he won’t be daunted, he continues. | |
| “Democrats win elections when large number of people vote. That’s what Obama did in 2008 and that’s what we can do now. Republicans win elections when people are demoralized and voter turnout is low.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.10pm GMT | |
| 3.38pm GMT | 3.38pm GMT |
| 15:38 | 15:38 |
| Bernie Sanders is up next. Stephanopoulos asks whether the pundits who say he doesn’t have a chance are going to look stupid on Tuesday morning. | Bernie Sanders is up next. Stephanopoulos asks whether the pundits who say he doesn’t have a chance are going to look stupid on Tuesday morning. |
| “I truly hope so, George,” he says. | |
| He repeats a variation of what he said earlier this morning on CNN: | He repeats a variation of what he said earlier this morning on CNN: |
| Almost 70,000 people in the state of Iowa, and I think if working people, and lower income people, and younger people … We’re going to win this thing and pull off one of the great political upsets in recent history. When we began this campaign we were trailing Hillary Clinton by 50 or 60 points. | Almost 70,000 people in the state of Iowa, and I think if working people, and lower income people, and younger people … We’re going to win this thing and pull off one of the great political upsets in recent history. When we began this campaign we were trailing Hillary Clinton by 50 or 60 points. |
| He says that while he knew his key issues – “the decline of the middle class, of billionaires being able to buy elections while kids aren’t able to [afford] college” – would resonate, he’s been surprised by the enthusiasm for his campaign. | |
| Back when he launched his campaign last year, he says, “I did not believe it would resonate quite as fast as it has.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.21pm GMT | |
| 3.33pm GMT | 3.33pm GMT |
| 15:33 | 15:33 |
| Stephanopoulos then asks Clinton about an op-ed in the Guardian (Hey, that’s us! He didn’t mention us though) by Robert Reich, the Berkeley professor and former secretary of labor. In his op-ed, Reich called Sanders the nominee America needs to combat inequality: | |
| Hillary Clinton? I have worked closely with her and have nothing but respect for her. In my view, she’s clearly the most qualified candidate for president of the political system we now have. | Hillary Clinton? I have worked closely with her and have nothing but respect for her. In my view, she’s clearly the most qualified candidate for president of the political system we now have. |
| But the political system we now have is profoundly broken. Bernie Sanders is the most qualified candidate to create the political system we should have because he’s leading a political movement for change. | But the political system we now have is profoundly broken. Bernie Sanders is the most qualified candidate to create the political system we should have because he’s leading a political movement for change. |
| Clinton gives by far her most charged answer of the interview, arguing that as the campaign grows she’ll bring in more people who feel like they’re on the fringes of society. She says her Senate campaign eventually won over people, “then when I was secretary of state even the Republicans said I was doing a good job”. | |
| I am focused on my mission to make sure this country works for everybody, particularly hard working middle class families who rightly feel they’ve been left out and left behind. | I am focused on my mission to make sure this country works for everybody, particularly hard working middle class families who rightly feel they’ve been left out and left behind. |
| You can check out Reich’s full piece through the link below: | |
| Related: Want to reverse sky-high inequality? Bernie Sanders is the pragmatic choice | Robert Reich | Related: Want to reverse sky-high inequality? Bernie Sanders is the pragmatic choice | Robert Reich |
| Updated | |
| at 4.08pm GMT | |
| 3.32pm GMT | 3.32pm GMT |
| 15:32 | 15:32 |
| Edward Helmore has been watching Ted Cruz on Fox News Sunday, so you don’t have to. Thereien, among the usual variations on a theme, Cruz responds to Trump’s barbs about his financial situation: | Edward Helmore has been watching Ted Cruz on Fox News Sunday, so you don’t have to. Thereien, among the usual variations on a theme, Cruz responds to Trump’s barbs about his financial situation: |
| Donald looks rattled. That why he’s insulting me everyday. It’s the height of chutzpah. For someone who owes billions of dollars, going after [Cruz’s wife] Heidi and I for putting our net worth into the campaign is the height of dishonesty.” | Donald looks rattled. That why he’s insulting me everyday. It’s the height of chutzpah. For someone who owes billions of dollars, going after [Cruz’s wife] Heidi and I for putting our net worth into the campaign is the height of dishonesty.” |
| Then we get some succinct sketching of the respective campaigns’ positions, as seen from Camp Cruz: | Then we get some succinct sketching of the respective campaigns’ positions, as seen from Camp Cruz: |
| A vote for Marco Rubio is a vote for amnesty; a vote for Trump is a vote for Obamacare; and a vote for Ted Cruz is a vote for a true conservative … the stakes are too high to take a risk. | A vote for Marco Rubio is a vote for amnesty; a vote for Trump is a vote for Obamacare; and a vote for Ted Cruz is a vote for a true conservative … the stakes are too high to take a risk. |
| 3.27pm GMT | 3.27pm GMT |
| 15:27 | 15:27 |
| Clinton similarly plays cautiously when asked about attack ads against Bernie Sanders, who has been accused of being weak on gun control and reproductive rights. | |
| Sanders notes that he has a D- rating from the NRA and a 100% voting record in support of Planned Parenthood. Clinton says she’s just proud that the pro-gun control Brady Campaign and Planned Parenthood have chosen to endorse her – leaving their non-endorsement of Sanders implicit. | Sanders notes that he has a D- rating from the NRA and a 100% voting record in support of Planned Parenthood. Clinton says she’s just proud that the pro-gun control Brady Campaign and Planned Parenthood have chosen to endorse her – leaving their non-endorsement of Sanders implicit. |
| “I feel vetted,” she says, “I feel ready, I feel strong and I think I’m the best person to be the nominee and to beat whoever the nominate in November.” | |
| Related: 'Hillary is tough': Clinton's gun control push gets boost from Gabby Giffords | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.07pm GMT | |
| 3.25pm GMT | 3.25pm GMT |
| 15:25 | 15:25 |
| Clinton: email controversy 'is very much like Benghazi' | |
| Hillary Clinton, the Democratic frontrunner, is next on ABC with Stephanopoulos. He asks about her emails. She says: | |
| Here’s what I know. This is I think a continuation of the story that’s been playing out for months. There is no classified marked information on those emails sent or received by me. | Here’s what I know. This is I think a continuation of the story that’s been playing out for months. There is no classified marked information on those emails sent or received by me. |
| Senator Dianne Feinstein, according to Clinton, “has said this email chain did not originate with me and that there are no classification markings”. | Senator Dianne Feinstein, according to Clinton, “has said this email chain did not originate with me and that there are no classification markings”. |
| She says wants the emails out. “I just want this matter resolved, the best way to resolve is to do what I asked months ago,” she says, “to release the emails, let the public see, and move on.” | She says wants the emails out. “I just want this matter resolved, the best way to resolve is to do what I asked months ago,” she says, “to release the emails, let the public see, and move on.” |
| “I take classified information very seriously. You can’t take information off the classified system onto the unclassified system, no matter what that is.” | |
| But she doesn’t want to say outright that the emails are being used a political ploy: “I’m gonna leave that to others who are quite experienced in the ways of Washington to comment on.” | |
| She does say, however, that “this is very much like Benghazi, George” – something that Republicans will use to try to hurt her chances in the election. | She does say, however, that “this is very much like Benghazi, George” – something that Republicans will use to try to hurt her chances in the election. |
| Related: US government finds 'top secret' information in Clinton emails | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.14pm GMT | |
| 3.21pm GMT | 3.21pm GMT |
| 15:21 | 15:21 |
| Martin Pengelly | Martin Pengelly |
| This post exists entirely to point you in the direction of this entirely splendid piece and video by Lauren Gambino and Bastien Inzaurralde, in which the intrepid pair speak to some artists who bought Donald Trump’s old “party bus” and turned it to their own, not particularly Trump-friendly uses. | This post exists entirely to point you in the direction of this entirely splendid piece and video by Lauren Gambino and Bastien Inzaurralde, in which the intrepid pair speak to some artists who bought Donald Trump’s old “party bus” and turned it to their own, not particularly Trump-friendly uses. |
| This quote seems apposite: | This quote seems apposite: |
| The bus used to be used as a party bus and the Trump campaign leased it from them, but they never removed the stripper pole,” said Mary Mihelic, an artist who is part of the anti-Trump bus project. “So we’re kind of using that as kind of a metaphor for Trump. | The bus used to be used as a party bus and the Trump campaign leased it from them, but they never removed the stripper pole,” said Mary Mihelic, an artist who is part of the anti-Trump bus project. “So we’re kind of using that as kind of a metaphor for Trump. |
| The piece is here and the video is here. | The piece is here and the video is here. |
| And here’s a picture of said bus: | And here’s a picture of said bus: |
| 3.19pm GMT | 3.19pm GMT |
| 15:19 | 15:19 |
| Trump: 'I have a heart' | |
| Stephanopoulos: So if you don’t support Obamacare or a singlepayer system, as Cruz alleges, what’s your plan for a healthcare system? | Stephanopoulos: So if you don’t support Obamacare or a singlepayer system, as Cruz alleges, what’s your plan for a healthcare system? |
| Trump: “I have a heart, I want people taken care of.” | Trump: “I have a heart, I want people taken care of.” |
| If people have no money we have to help people, but that doesn’t mean singlepayer … If somebody has no money and they’re lying in the middle of the street … we’re gonna work with our hospitals, we’re gonna work with our doctors, we’re gonna do something.” | If people have no money we have to help people, but that doesn’t mean singlepayer … If somebody has no money and they’re lying in the middle of the street … we’re gonna work with our hospitals, we’re gonna work with our doctors, we’re gonna do something.” |
| The billionaire waxes compassionate: “Just because they’re down and out … so they end up dying? We’ll work something out. | The billionaire waxes compassionate: “Just because they’re down and out … so they end up dying? We’ll work something out. |
| If this means I lose an election that’s fine because frankly we have to take care of the people in our election, we cant let them die on the sidewalks of New York or of Iowa. | If this means I lose an election that’s fine because frankly we have to take care of the people in our election, we cant let them die on the sidewalks of New York or of Iowa. |
| That said, he maintains the country must “repeal and replace Obamacare, it’s a disaster, the premiums are going up.” | That said, he maintains the country must “repeal and replace Obamacare, it’s a disaster, the premiums are going up.” |
| Could you still lose? “Well, you never know, it’s an election,” Trump says with surprising humility. “I never thought I’d have 24-point leads in different states … I never thought I’d have the kind of leads in New Hampshire.” | Could you still lose? “Well, you never know, it’s an election,” Trump says with surprising humility. “I never thought I’d have 24-point leads in different states … I never thought I’d have the kind of leads in New Hampshire.” |
| Updated | |
| at 4.15pm GMT | |
| 3.17pm GMT | 3.17pm GMT |
| 15:17 | 15:17 |
| The Texas senator’s accusations that Trump supports Obamacare are nonsense, the billionaire says. | The Texas senator’s accusations that Trump supports Obamacare are nonsense, the billionaire says. |
| “Ted Cruz is a total liar,” Trump tells Stephanopoulos. “I’m gonna repeal and replace Obamacare, I don’t even know where he gets this.” | “Ted Cruz is a total liar,” Trump tells Stephanopoulos. “I’m gonna repeal and replace Obamacare, I don’t even know where he gets this.” |
| He didn’t even put down on his financial disclosure forms that he … He’s got these favorable deals from banks on Wall Street … This is why nobody likes him … This is why he doesn’t have one endorsement … He works with these senators and doesn’t have one endorsements. | He didn’t even put down on his financial disclosure forms that he … He’s got these favorable deals from banks on Wall Street … This is why nobody likes him … This is why he doesn’t have one endorsement … He works with these senators and doesn’t have one endorsements. |
| Trump is alluding to loans that Cruz failed to disclose as required by campaign finance rules. The billionaire says that Trump takes direction “from the oilmen and other special interests … He is 100% in their pockets he’s going to do whatever they want him to do.” | Trump is alluding to loans that Cruz failed to disclose as required by campaign finance rules. The billionaire says that Trump takes direction “from the oilmen and other special interests … He is 100% in their pockets he’s going to do whatever they want him to do.” |
| Have any senators endorsed you, Stephanopoulos asks? | Have any senators endorsed you, Stephanopoulos asks? |
| They will be very soon … by the way we have tremendous endorsements. Jerry Falwell Jr from Liberty University … Sarah Palin just endorsed me … Sheriff Joe from Arizona … the toughest Arizona border just endorsed me. | They will be very soon … by the way we have tremendous endorsements. Jerry Falwell Jr from Liberty University … Sarah Palin just endorsed me … Sheriff Joe from Arizona … the toughest Arizona border just endorsed me. |
| 3.15pm GMT | 3.15pm GMT |
| 15:15 | 15:15 |
| Stephanopoulos raises Trump’s former chumminess with Ted Cruz and Hillary Clinton. | Stephanopoulos raises Trump’s former chumminess with Ted Cruz and Hillary Clinton. |
| “Well you know you need a dealmaker too,” Trump says. “As far as Hillary Clinton is concerned when I was in business I was a world class businessman.” | “Well you know you need a dealmaker too,” Trump says. “As far as Hillary Clinton is concerned when I was in business I was a world class businessman.” |
| Frankly when I was in business I got along with everybody … I happen to have a conservative way of thought … but when you’re a businessman you have to get along with everybody … even worldwide I get along with everybody. | Frankly when I was in business I got along with everybody … I happen to have a conservative way of thought … but when you’re a businessman you have to get along with everybody … even worldwide I get along with everybody. |
| Cruz, on the other hand: “all of these senators not one endorsement of Cruz because he’s a nasty guy”. | Cruz, on the other hand: “all of these senators not one endorsement of Cruz because he’s a nasty guy”. |
| 3.07pm GMT | 3.07pm GMT |
| 15:07 | 15:07 |
| It’s on to ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos, who talks about the prominent supporters of Hillary Clinton (husband Bill, daughter Chelsea), Bernie Sanders (indie band Vampire Weekend), and Ted Cruz (a bearded, bandanna’d fellow from Duck Dynasty). | It’s on to ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos, who talks about the prominent supporters of Hillary Clinton (husband Bill, daughter Chelsea), Bernie Sanders (indie band Vampire Weekend), and Ted Cruz (a bearded, bandanna’d fellow from Duck Dynasty). |
| “Iowa Democrats love Bill Clinton,” a reporter tells Stephanopoulos, who last year disclosed donations totalling $75,000 to the Clinton Foundation. | “Iowa Democrats love Bill Clinton,” a reporter tells Stephanopoulos, who last year disclosed donations totalling $75,000 to the Clinton Foundation. |
| Donald Trump phones in. | Donald Trump phones in. |
| “They say the more people that get out the better I do,” Trump says. “The blizzard is supposed to be on Tuesday … They think record attendance will happen.” | “They say the more people that get out the better I do,” Trump says. “The blizzard is supposed to be on Tuesday … They think record attendance will happen.” |
| He says it’s great “how well I’m doing with evangelicals, I’m leading with Tea Party, I’m doing great in every aspect throughout the nation … Hard to believe we begin in one day!” | He says it’s great “how well I’m doing with evangelicals, I’m leading with Tea Party, I’m doing great in every aspect throughout the nation … Hard to believe we begin in one day!” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.21pm GMT | |
| 2.53pm GMT | 2.53pm GMT |
| 14:53 | 14:53 |
| Edward Helmore | Edward Helmore |
| The former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who is reportedly weighing an independent presidential bid, will not be celebrating the results of a survey conducted in Iowa by his namesake firm. | The former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who is reportedly weighing an independent presidential bid, will not be celebrating the results of a survey conducted in Iowa by his namesake firm. |
| The final Bloomberg Politics/Des Moines Register Iowa Poll was released with much fanfare on Saturday night, mostly because of what it said about the caucus chances of Trump, Cruz, Clinton and Sanders. | The final Bloomberg Politics/Des Moines Register Iowa Poll was released with much fanfare on Saturday night, mostly because of what it said about the caucus chances of Trump, Cruz, Clinton and Sanders. |
| Alas, for Bloomberg, it also found 41% of likely Republican caucus-goers and 57% of likely Democratic caucus-goers do not know the financial data billionaire well enough to share an opinion about him. | Alas, for Bloomberg, it also found 41% of likely Republican caucus-goers and 57% of likely Democratic caucus-goers do not know the financial data billionaire well enough to share an opinion about him. |
| For those who do know him, half of Republicans polled and a quarter of Democrats said they held an unfavorable opinion, placing Bloomberg with higher negatives than any other 2016 political name except Jeb Bush and Sarah Palin. | For those who do know him, half of Republicans polled and a quarter of Democrats said they held an unfavorable opinion, placing Bloomberg with higher negatives than any other 2016 political name except Jeb Bush and Sarah Palin. |
| Related: Frenzy in Iowa as Clinton and Trump go into caucuses leading key poll | Related: Frenzy in Iowa as Clinton and Trump go into caucuses leading key poll |
| 2.41pm GMT | 2.41pm GMT |
| 14:41 | 14:41 |
| But while Rubio has criticism for Cruz he’s dismissive of Trump … and the stakes of Iowa. “Donald’s the greatest show on earth, it’s very entertaining,” he says. | But while Rubio has criticism for Cruz he’s dismissive of Trump … and the stakes of Iowa. “Donald’s the greatest show on earth, it’s very entertaining,” he says. |
| Then the senator plays up his electability in the general election: “if we get this election wrong there may be no turning back on some of these” issues, he says. | Then the senator plays up his electability in the general election: “if we get this election wrong there may be no turning back on some of these” issues, he says. |
| At the same time the chaos of the 2016 campaign season has clearly gotten to him. “No one is unbeatable,” Rubio says, calling the primary a “very unusual year”. | At the same time the chaos of the 2016 campaign season has clearly gotten to him. “No one is unbeatable,” Rubio says, calling the primary a “very unusual year”. |
| “This election is not going to be decided by one or two states,” he says, adding that he thinks the primary will take “longer than [the] usual process, given the size of the field and given the challenges for the country.” | “This election is not going to be decided by one or two states,” he says, adding that he thinks the primary will take “longer than [the] usual process, given the size of the field and given the challenges for the country.” |
| He brings it back around to the general election and his chances against a Democrat, spinning the CNN interview into a stump speech to Republicans. “We’re not going to turn this country around if a socialist like Bernie Sanders or someone like Hillary Clinton is elected president.” | He brings it back around to the general election and his chances against a Democrat, spinning the CNN interview into a stump speech to Republicans. “We’re not going to turn this country around if a socialist like Bernie Sanders or someone like Hillary Clinton is elected president.” |
| 2.38pm GMT | 2.38pm GMT |
| 14:38 | 14:38 |
| Martin Pengelly | Martin Pengelly |
| Here’s some more video of the Vampire Weekend-Bernie Sanders This Land Is Your Land Woody Guthrie Iowa singalong, as shot live in concert by the Guardian’s own David Taylor, who in order to cover the Iowa caucuses has intrepidly left the New York island to walk that ribbon of highway, seeing above him that endless skyway, and the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling. Or, a lot of snow. | Here’s some more video of the Vampire Weekend-Bernie Sanders This Land Is Your Land Woody Guthrie Iowa singalong, as shot live in concert by the Guardian’s own David Taylor, who in order to cover the Iowa caucuses has intrepidly left the New York island to walk that ribbon of highway, seeing above him that endless skyway, and the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling. Or, a lot of snow. |
| For further reading on and around the subject: | For further reading on and around the subject: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.50pm GMT | at 2.50pm GMT |
| 2.38pm GMT | 2.38pm GMT |
| 14:38 | 14:38 |
| And now Tapper has apparated into Marco Rubio’s campaign bus, where the Florida senator is wearing a monogrammed UnderArmor fleece. He likes football. | And now Tapper has apparated into Marco Rubio’s campaign bus, where the Florida senator is wearing a monogrammed UnderArmor fleece. He likes football. |
| The CNN host immediately asks about Cruz’s accusations of flip-flopping on immigration. Rubio says Cruz lying: “The lie that his whole campaign is built on is that he’s the only conservative and everyone else is a sellout.” | The CNN host immediately asks about Cruz’s accusations of flip-flopping on immigration. Rubio says Cruz lying: “The lie that his whole campaign is built on is that he’s the only conservative and everyone else is a sellout.” |
| “He helped design George W Bush’s immigration policy,” Rubio says. “At the end of this election he’s just making things up … he’s obviously spooked by something so we expect the kitchen sink here in the next 48 hours.” | “He helped design George W Bush’s immigration policy,” Rubio says. “At the end of this election he’s just making things up … he’s obviously spooked by something so we expect the kitchen sink here in the next 48 hours.” |
| He adds that as president he would undo Obama’s executive actions. | He adds that as president he would undo Obama’s executive actions. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.50pm GMT | at 2.50pm GMT |
| 2.34pm GMT | 2.34pm GMT |
| 14:34 | 14:34 |
| Cruz continues to bash Rubio: “If you’re asking who can I trust to do what he said, the fact that on his signature issue Marco broke his trust. | Cruz continues to bash Rubio: “If you’re asking who can I trust to do what he said, the fact that on his signature issue Marco broke his trust. |
| “That would be like my coming to Washington and suddenly discovering I was for Obamacare.” | “That would be like my coming to Washington and suddenly discovering I was for Obamacare.” |
| And then he segues into stump speech mode. | And then he segues into stump speech mode. |
| If we nominate a candidate who supports amnesty, the same position … the same millions of Reagan democrats, of steel workers and autoworkers and truck drivers … we’ve got to be fighting for the working men and omen of this country … we’ve got to be on behalf of the men | If we nominate a candidate who supports amnesty, the same position … the same millions of Reagan democrats, of steel workers and autoworkers and truck drivers … we’ve got to be fighting for the working men and omen of this country … we’ve got to be on behalf of the men |
| But Rubio, Cruz says “led the fight for amnesty and Ted Cruz led the fight against it”. | But Rubio, Cruz says “led the fight for amnesty and Ted Cruz led the fight against it”. |
| He sideswipes Trump. “During that whole battle Donald Trump was nowhere to be found.” | He sideswipes Trump. “During that whole battle Donald Trump was nowhere to be found.” |
| Cruz ends by saying that when Trump skipped the Fox debate this week, it showed he “wasn’t willing to submit to the scrutiny, and I think that’s a mistake.” | Cruz ends by saying that when Trump skipped the Fox debate this week, it showed he “wasn’t willing to submit to the scrutiny, and I think that’s a mistake.” |
| “He can’t defend his substantive record,” Cruz says, saying Trump is in line with Bernie Sanders on healthcare. | “He can’t defend his substantive record,” Cruz says, saying Trump is in line with Bernie Sanders on healthcare. |
| His position on cronyism and corporate welfare is the same as Barack Obama … He supported Obama’s stimulus he [thought] it should’ve been larger … I get that it is unpleasant to have your record subject to scrutiny … but this is a job interview. | His position on cronyism and corporate welfare is the same as Barack Obama … He supported Obama’s stimulus he [thought] it should’ve been larger … I get that it is unpleasant to have your record subject to scrutiny … but this is a job interview. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.18pm GMT | |
| 2.31pm GMT | 2.31pm GMT |
| 14:31 | 14:31 |
| Cruz: Rubio supports 'amnesty' | |
| But Trump’s ideas are fair game, if not his personality, according to Cruz. | But Trump’s ideas are fair game, if not his personality, according to Cruz. |
| He and I have very, very different views on questions like life and marriage and religious liberty … healthcare and amnesty … I think the people of Iowa deserve more and I think the American people deserve more than just a battle of petty insults. | He and I have very, very different views on questions like life and marriage and religious liberty … healthcare and amnesty … I think the people of Iowa deserve more and I think the American people deserve more than just a battle of petty insults. |
| He moves on to criticize Florida senator Marco Rubio, who has risen in the polls against Cruz in the last few weeks. Cruz says Rubio failed voters on immigration. | |
| “The central question of this primary is trust … they don’t do what they say. If you look at when Marco and I both ran … I promised the men and women of Texas I would lead the fight against amnesty. … But when we got to Washington he and I made very, very different decision. | |
| Cruz lumps Rubio together with Democrats – Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid and Barack Obama – and blames the Florida senator for supporting “tens of thousands of Syrian refugees without mandating any background checks” and granting “amnesty to 12 million people illegally”. | Cruz lumps Rubio together with Democrats – Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid and Barack Obama – and blames the Florida senator for supporting “tens of thousands of Syrian refugees without mandating any background checks” and granting “amnesty to 12 million people illegally”. |
| The senator, alas, is not exactly correct. The US has accepted only about 2,500 Syrian refugees (with background checks so extensive they stretch across 18-24 months). Obama’s executive actions do not grant “amnesty”; he has sought to protect some undocumented people from deportation but millions are unshielded, and his second set of actions are going before the supreme court. | The senator, alas, is not exactly correct. The US has accepted only about 2,500 Syrian refugees (with background checks so extensive they stretch across 18-24 months). Obama’s executive actions do not grant “amnesty”; he has sought to protect some undocumented people from deportation but millions are unshielded, and his second set of actions are going before the supreme court. |
| The Obama administration also continues to target families for deportation, especially those who have fled from Central America. | The Obama administration also continues to target families for deportation, especially those who have fled from Central America. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.18pm GMT | |
| 2.22pm GMT | 2.22pm GMT |
| 14:22 | 14:22 |
| Next up for CNN is Texas senator Ted Cruz, who’s on a bus with Tapper and second to Donald Trump in the Republican primary. | Next up for CNN is Texas senator Ted Cruz, who’s on a bus with Tapper and second to Donald Trump in the Republican primary. |
| Cruz downplays his fall in the polls to Trump. | Cruz downplays his fall in the polls to Trump. |
| We are competing hard … we’re competing hard in the ground in New Hampshire, in South Carolina and Nevada … all across Super Tuesday. | We are competing hard … we’re competing hard in the ground in New Hampshire, in South Carolina and Nevada … all across Super Tuesday. |
| We don’t view any state as a must-win. I think we’re positioned to do very well in Iowa. | We don’t view any state as a must-win. I think we’re positioned to do very well in Iowa. |
| Tapper asks about Trump himself and the acrimony between the candidates. (Trump called Cruz “an anchor baby in Canada” last week.) | Tapper asks about Trump himself and the acrimony between the candidates. (Trump called Cruz “an anchor baby in Canada” last week.) |
| “There’s a phase to every campaign,” Cruz says. “A month ago Donald was telling everyone how much he liked me.” | “There’s a phase to every campaign,” Cruz says. “A month ago Donald was telling everyone how much he liked me.” |
| He says Trump has good insults though. “I’ll give him credit that when he insults someone it’s always memorable and colorful.” | He says Trump has good insults though. “I’ll give him credit that when he insults someone it’s always memorable and colorful.” |
| But he won’t fire back, apparently. “No matter what he says I like Donald. I will continue to praise him as bold and fresh.” | But he won’t fire back, apparently. “No matter what he says I like Donald. I will continue to praise him as bold and fresh.” |
| The interview was recorded before his campaign was called out for this: | The interview was recorded before his campaign was called out for this: |
| Related: Cruz campaign draws condemnation for strategy of shaming Iowans to caucus | Related: Cruz campaign draws condemnation for strategy of shaming Iowans to caucus |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.48pm GMT | at 2.48pm GMT |
| 2.17pm GMT | 2.17pm GMT |
| 14:17 | 14:17 |
| Martin Pengelly | Martin Pengelly |
| CBS taped their interview with Donald Trump on Friday, 24 hours or so before the Des Moines Register poll which has defined this final weekend before the caucuses, partly by putting The Donald five points ahead of the man who we shall refer to here as The Cruzer. | CBS taped their interview with Donald Trump on Friday, 24 hours or so before the Des Moines Register poll which has defined this final weekend before the caucuses, partly by putting The Donald five points ahead of the man who we shall refer to here as The Cruzer. |
| The interview is broadcasting later this morning but there are, in the way of such things, excerpts bouncing around the ether. | The interview is broadcasting later this morning but there are, in the way of such things, excerpts bouncing around the ether. |
| Here’s one: | Here’s one: |
| …I do have, actually, much more humility than a lot of people would think. | …I do have, actually, much more humility than a lot of people would think. |
| Presumably that’s also much more humility than anyone else ever in the history of humility. Huge humility, probably. Yoooge. | Presumably that’s also much more humility than anyone else ever in the history of humility. Huge humility, probably. Yoooge. |
| In the CBS interview, Trump also says “none of the other guys will win”. | In the CBS interview, Trump also says “none of the other guys will win”. |
| Of course he does. | Of course he does. |
| 2.16pm GMT | 2.16pm GMT |
| 14:16 | 14:16 |
| Finally, Tapper asks Sanders about foreign policy and Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server – and 22 emails deemed too classified for public release by an investigation into that server. | Finally, Tapper asks Sanders about foreign policy and Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server – and 22 emails deemed too classified for public release by an investigation into that server. |
| On the first question, Sanders harks back to his vote against the invasion of Iraq, calling it “the most important foreign policy issue in our lifetime or at least in the last 20 to 30 years”. He says he’s confident he can “prevent our young men and women in the military from getting involved in perpetual warfare”. He can build a coalition to resolve crises in the Middle East, he says. | On the first question, Sanders harks back to his vote against the invasion of Iraq, calling it “the most important foreign policy issue in our lifetime or at least in the last 20 to 30 years”. He says he’s confident he can “prevent our young men and women in the military from getting involved in perpetual warfare”. He can build a coalition to resolve crises in the Middle East, he says. |
| As for the emails, “there is a legal process taking place. I do not want to poltiicize that issue. It is not my style. | As for the emails, “there is a legal process taking place. I do not want to poltiicize that issue. It is not my style. |
| “What I am focusing on, Jake, are the issues impacting the middle class of this country.” | “What I am focusing on, Jake, are the issues impacting the middle class of this country.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.24pm GMT | at 2.24pm GMT |
| 2.13pm GMT | 2.13pm GMT |
| 14:13 | 14:13 |
| Sanders adds that he’s all for new debates with Clinton, and would gladly go to the struggling town of Flint, Michigan. “Let’s do it before their primaries. I’ve always wanted more debates.” | Sanders adds that he’s all for new debates with Clinton, and would gladly go to the struggling town of Flint, Michigan. “Let’s do it before their primaries. I’ve always wanted more debates.” |
| “God knows what’s going on in Flint, Michigan,” he says of the city, where lead-tainted water has afflicted citizens for nearly two years. Sanders has called for Rick Snyder, the Republican governor of Michigan, to resign. | “God knows what’s going on in Flint, Michigan,” he says of the city, where lead-tainted water has afflicted citizens for nearly two years. Sanders has called for Rick Snyder, the Republican governor of Michigan, to resign. |
| Tapper asks why Sanders now has secret service protection after months of campaigning without it. The senator says security is “something we should not talk about”. | Tapper asks why Sanders now has secret service protection after months of campaigning without it. The senator says security is “something we should not talk about”. |
| Related: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders tentatively agree to four more debates | Related: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders tentatively agree to four more debates |
| So Tapper asks about a scathing Washington Post editorial instead. | So Tapper asks about a scathing Washington Post editorial instead. |
| “I am not greatly beloved by the economic establishment,” Sanders says, “or by the major media of this country” | “I am not greatly beloved by the economic establishment,” Sanders says, “or by the major media of this country” |
| I am being attacked because I’m too ambitious, because I say among other things maybe we should have a tax on Wall Street speculation … and maybe we should use that money to make colleges and university tuition free … maybe we should use that revenue to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. | I am being attacked because I’m too ambitious, because I say among other things maybe we should have a tax on Wall Street speculation … and maybe we should use that money to make colleges and university tuition free … maybe we should use that revenue to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. |
| The Washington Post is the establishment, doesn’t surprise me they don’t like my ideas. | The Washington Post is the establishment, doesn’t surprise me they don’t like my ideas. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.23pm GMT | at 2.23pm GMT |
| 2.10pm GMT | 2.10pm GMT |
| 14:10 | 14:10 |
| Sanders hopes for historic upset | |
| Tapper asks Sanders about ads produced by the Clinton campaign and its allies. | Tapper asks Sanders about ads produced by the Clinton campaign and its allies. |
| “I can’t keep up with what the Clinton campaign does,” Sanders says. | “I can’t keep up with what the Clinton campaign does,” Sanders says. |
| He mentions accusations “for example that I am attacking Planned Parenthood”, which he says is crazy. He says he’s always supported the reproductive rights group: “One of the great organizations in America. So I don’t know what the Clinton campaign is doing, all I know is we are bringing out large numbers of people, we are creating excitement.” | He mentions accusations “for example that I am attacking Planned Parenthood”, which he says is crazy. He says he’s always supported the reproductive rights group: “One of the great organizations in America. So I don’t know what the Clinton campaign is doing, all I know is we are bringing out large numbers of people, we are creating excitement.” |
| Sanders says Americans “are tired of seeing all this new income and wealth … want us to address climate change, want us to address a broken criminal justice system. So I’m feeling good, Jake. | Sanders says Americans “are tired of seeing all this new income and wealth … want us to address climate change, want us to address a broken criminal justice system. So I’m feeling good, Jake. |
| “If people come out to vote I think you are looking at one of the biggest political upsets in modern history.” | |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.24pm GMT | |
| 2.06pm GMT | 2.06pm GMT |
| 14:06 | 14:06 |
| Bernie Sanders is on CNN’s State of the Union with Jake Tapper, who asks how he expects to overcome Hillary Clinton’s narrow lead in the polls. | Bernie Sanders is on CNN’s State of the Union with Jake Tapper, who asks how he expects to overcome Hillary Clinton’s narrow lead in the polls. |
| We were 50 or 60 points behind Secretary Clinton, and the reason for that is we have 15,000 volunteers … They’re going to be urging people to come out in very large numbers to vote … who previously were not involved in politics. | We were 50 or 60 points behind Secretary Clinton, and the reason for that is we have 15,000 volunteers … They’re going to be urging people to come out in very large numbers to vote … who previously were not involved in politics. |
| He says Iowa could be “the first state in the country to lead us in a very, very different direction”. | He says Iowa could be “the first state in the country to lead us in a very, very different direction”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.22pm GMT | |
| 1.53pm GMT | 1.53pm GMT |
| 13:53 | 13:53 |
| Iowa is about to choose the first two winners of the 2016 election – and we’re covering the countdown live, with Guardian reporters following the campaigns on the trail as candidates make their last, sometimes desperate pitches to the people who could help elect one of them to the White House. | Iowa is about to choose the first two winners of the 2016 election – and we’re covering the countdown live, with Guardian reporters following the campaigns on the trail as candidates make their last, sometimes desperate pitches to the people who could help elect one of them to the White House. |
| We’ll watch the talk shows so you don’t have to, and bring all the news from the final mad dash to win Iowa. | We’ll watch the talk shows so you don’t have to, and bring all the news from the final mad dash to win Iowa. |