This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/03/us/politics/iowa-caucuses.html

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 16 Version 17
Delayed Iowa Caucus Results Lead to Confusion: Live Updates 2020 Iowa Caucus Live Updates: Delayed Results Lead to Confusion
(32 minutes later)
Seven Democratic candidates are mounting competitive campaigns in the state: Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusets, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the former tech executive Andrew Yang and the former hedge fund investor Tom Steyer. The release of Iowa caucus results was delayed after inconsistencies in the reporting of data.
“This is not a hack or an intrusion,” said a spokeswoman for the state Democratic Party. The party is using photos of results and a paper trail to validate the results.
The lack of results didn’t stop multiple Democratic candidates from addressing their supporters late on Monday night. Nearly all claimed that they expected a strong finish in the state, whenever the results are eventually announced.
Seven candidates mounted competitive campaigns in the state: Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusets, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the former tech executive Andrew Yang and the former hedge fund investor Tom Steyer.
There are 41 delegates up for grabs, a tiny fraction of the 1,991 delegates needed to win the Democratic presidential nomination.There are 41 delegates up for grabs, a tiny fraction of the 1,991 delegates needed to win the Democratic presidential nomination.
Follow our results page here.Follow our results page here.
Results in the Iowa Democratic caucuses were delayed Monday evening, creating widespread confusion among the presidential campaigns.Results in the Iowa Democratic caucuses were delayed Monday evening, creating widespread confusion among the presidential campaigns.
Rumors of all kinds of technical failures flew across the state, as representatives for the candidates were briefed by the Iowa Democratic Party. Party officials said the results had been delayed because of efforts to do “quality control” before data was made public.Rumors of all kinds of technical failures flew across the state, as representatives for the candidates were briefed by the Iowa Democratic Party. Party officials said the results had been delayed because of efforts to do “quality control” before data was made public.
“We found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results,” said Mandy McClure, the party’s communications director. “In addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results, we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report. This is simply a reporting issue, the app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion. The underlying data and paper trail is sound and will simply take time to further report the results.”“We found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results,” said Mandy McClure, the party’s communications director. “In addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results, we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report. This is simply a reporting issue, the app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion. The underlying data and paper trail is sound and will simply take time to further report the results.”
On a conference call with the presidential campaigns, Iowa Democratic Party officials largely reiterated their public statements. The delay, officials said, was because of the new rules requiring caucus leaders to report three numbers to party headquarters, rather than just the delegate totals.On a conference call with the presidential campaigns, Iowa Democratic Party officials largely reiterated their public statements. The delay, officials said, was because of the new rules requiring caucus leaders to report three numbers to party headquarters, rather than just the delegate totals.
Representatives from the campaigns became angry at the Iowa party officials, who hung up after being asked about when results might be known, according to two people who listened to the call. Representatives from the campaigns became angry at Iowa party officials who hung up after being asked about when results might be known, according to two people who listened to the call.
Since the caucuses began 50 years ago, Iowa Democrats reported only one number: the delegate count from each of the state’s precincts.Since the caucuses began 50 years ago, Iowa Democrats reported only one number: the delegate count from each of the state’s precincts.
But after the razor-close 2016 race in Iowa between Hillary Clinton and Mr. Sanders, Mr. Sanders’s allies pushed the Democratic National Committee to require caucus states to track and report the raw numbers of how many people backed each candidate.But after the razor-close 2016 race in Iowa between Hillary Clinton and Mr. Sanders, Mr. Sanders’s allies pushed the Democratic National Committee to require caucus states to track and report the raw numbers of how many people backed each candidate.
For Iowa, the new reporting standards meant counting how many people backed each candidate on the first and second alignment. That change, requiring reporting of three separate numbers from each of the state’s more than 1,600 precincts, has slowed reporting of results to a crawl.For Iowa, the new reporting standards meant counting how many people backed each candidate on the first and second alignment. That change, requiring reporting of three separate numbers from each of the state’s more than 1,600 precincts, has slowed reporting of results to a crawl.
Additionally, many precinct chairs across the state abandoned the new app that was built to help tabulate and report results as users struggled to log in. They opted instead to use the telephone hotline to report, which can also slow down the reporting of results.Additionally, many precinct chairs across the state abandoned the new app that was built to help tabulate and report results as users struggled to log in. They opted instead to use the telephone hotline to report, which can also slow down the reporting of results.
“I have had three precincts unable to report results,” said William Baresel, the Floyd County chair.“I have had three precincts unable to report results,” said William Baresel, the Floyd County chair.
Shawn Sebastian, the caucus secretary for a precinct in Story County, said he had spent an hour on hold with the state party to report the results. He finally got through while in the midst of an on-air interview with CNN, but the state party official hung up on him before he could relay the tallies.Shawn Sebastian, the caucus secretary for a precinct in Story County, said he had spent an hour on hold with the state party to report the results. He finally got through while in the midst of an on-air interview with CNN, but the state party official hung up on him before he could relay the tallies.
In the hours before the caucuses began, Iowa Democratic Party officials received multiple calls from precinct chairs around the state reporting problems with the app. The state party dismissed the calls as related to user-error problems but they fueled speculation about hacking and other security issues.In the hours before the caucuses began, Iowa Democratic Party officials received multiple calls from precinct chairs around the state reporting problems with the app. The state party dismissed the calls as related to user-error problems but they fueled speculation about hacking and other security issues.
Already, a number of prominent Democrats have questioned the role of Iowa casting the first ballots in the primary process, criticizing the largely white, older state as unrepresentative of the diversity of their party. Technical issues, happening in the midst of such a highly-watched caucus, could contribute to doubts about Iowa’s standing in the primary process.Already, a number of prominent Democrats have questioned the role of Iowa casting the first ballots in the primary process, criticizing the largely white, older state as unrepresentative of the diversity of their party. Technical issues, happening in the midst of such a highly-watched caucus, could contribute to doubts about Iowa’s standing in the primary process.
DES MOINES — Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said the early returns in Iowa showed an appetite for her campaign of “big, structural change,” even as official results were muddled by technical difficulties. DES MOINES — Ms. Warren said the early returns in Iowa showed an appetite for her campaign of “big, structural change,” even as official results were muddled by technical difficulties.
In a rare set of prepared remarks, after being introduced by her grandchildren, Ms. Warren repeated a new refrain: “This campaign is for you.” It was in keeping with her attempts to paint herself as the candidate best suited to unite the Democrats’s moderate and progressive wings.
She acknowledged that the race’s official results were still muddled. “It is too close to call. But I’m just going to tell you what I do know,” she said. “As the baby daughter of a janitor, I’m so glad to be on this stage tonight.”
Follow live coverage and analysis from Times reporters in Iowa and New York.Follow live coverage and analysis from Times reporters in Iowa and New York.
Thomas Kaplan, with Biden in Des Moines Reid Epstein, with Buttigieg in Des Moines
5m ago Just now
Biden team to state party: Campaigns should get “full explanations & relevant information regarding the methods of quality control you are employing.” Pete Buttigieg on stage: “So we don’t know all the results, but we know by the time it’s all said and done, Iowa you have shocked the nation.”
Thomas Kaplan, with Biden in Des Moines Reid Epstein, with Buttigieg in Des Moines
6m ago 6m ago
The Biden campaign sent a letter to the Iowa Democratic Party late Monday night citing “considerable flaws” in the reporting system for the caucuses. Brad Parscale, Trump campaign manager: “Democrats are stewing in a caucus mess of their own creation with the sloppiest train wreck in history.”
Maggie Astor, reporting from Des Moines Sydney Ember, reporting from Des Moines
9m ago 7m ago
Sanders on stage: “When those results are announced, I have a good feeling we’re going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa.” The party is attempting to verify results reported on the app by getting smartphone pictures of the paper worksheets at each precinct site.
In a rare set of prepared remarks, after being introduced by her grandchildren, Ms. Warren repeated a new refrain: “This campaign is for you.” It was in keeping with her attempts to paint herself as the candidate best suited to unite the Democrats’ moderate and progressive wings.
She acknowledged that the race’s official results were still muddled. “It is too close to call. But I’m just going to tell you what I do know,” she said. “As the baby daughter of a janitor, I’m so glad to be on this stage tonight.”
She then gave the sort of positive speech often given by victorious candidates.She then gave the sort of positive speech often given by victorious candidates.
“This race started here in Iowa, but from tomorrow it will run ocean to ocean, east to New Hampshire, and then west to Nevada, then down to South Carolina,” she said. “This fight will stretch across all 57 states and territories that make up this great nation until we unite together as a party in Milwaukee. The road won’t be easy. But we are built for the long haul.”“This race started here in Iowa, but from tomorrow it will run ocean to ocean, east to New Hampshire, and then west to Nevada, then down to South Carolina,” she said. “This fight will stretch across all 57 states and territories that make up this great nation until we unite together as a party in Milwaukee. The road won’t be easy. But we are built for the long haul.”
On a frustrating night for every candidate, all of whom were hoping to declare victory quickly and then jet off to New Hampshire, Mr. Sanders tried a bit of humor.
“Let me begin by stating that I imagine — I have a strong feeling — that at some point the results will be announced,” Mr. Sanders told supporters at his election-night watch party. “And when those results are announced, I have a good feeling we’re going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa.”
DES MOINES — The Biden campaign sent a letter to the Iowa Democratic Party late Monday night citing “considerable flaws” in the reporting system for the caucuses and seeking information from the party before results are made public.
“The integrity of the process is critical, and there were flaws in the reporting systems tonight that should raise serious concerns for voters,” Kate Bedingfield, a deputy campaign manager for Mr. Biden, said on Twitter.
Addressing supporters, Mr. Biden said he wanted to make sure the state party was “very careful in their deliberations” and added that he expected the results to be “close.”
“We’re going to walk out of here with our share of delegates,” he said. “We don’t know exactly what it is yet, but we feel good about where we are.”
In the letter, the Biden campaign’s general counsel, Dana Remus, wrote that the app to relay results from the caucuses had “failed,” and that the backup telephone reporting system had not work either.
“These acute failures are occurring statewide,” Ms. Remus wrote.
Ms. Remus said that campaigns should get more information from the state party — as well as a chance to respond — before official results are made public.
“We believe that the campaigns deserve full explanations and relevant information regarding the methods of quality control you are employing, and an opportunity to respond, before any official results are released,” she wrote.
There may have been no official confirmation of how anyone was doing, Ms. Klobuchar told supporters Monday evening, but she knew she was doing well.There may have been no official confirmation of how anyone was doing, Ms. Klobuchar told supporters Monday evening, but she knew she was doing well.
“We know there’s delays,” Ms. Klobuchar said, speaking at the Des Moines Marriott. “But we know one thing — we are punching above our weight.”“We know there’s delays,” Ms. Klobuchar said, speaking at the Des Moines Marriott. “But we know one thing — we are punching above our weight.”
“Even in a crowded field of candidates, even during the well-earned impeachment hearing of Donald J. Trump, which had me bolted to my Senate desk for the last two weeks, we kept fighting and you kept fighting for me,” she said. “Somehow, some way, I’m going to get on a plane tonight to New Hampshire, and we are bringing this to New Hampshire.”“Even in a crowded field of candidates, even during the well-earned impeachment hearing of Donald J. Trump, which had me bolted to my Senate desk for the last two weeks, we kept fighting and you kept fighting for me,” she said. “Somehow, some way, I’m going to get on a plane tonight to New Hampshire, and we are bringing this to New Hampshire.”
With the amount of attention paid to Iowa, it’s worth asking: Does all this effort predict future success? “I gotta say, I’m a numbers guy, and we’re still waiting on numbers from tonight,” Mr. Yang said in a speech to supporters in Des Moines. “We’re all looking around being like, ‘What’s the math?’”
Turns out, not really. Except when it comes to the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. “But the math that I care most about is the fact that this movement has become something that has already shocked the political world,” he added. “And it’s going to keep on going from here — it’s going to keep on growing from here.”
Since the first modern caucuses in 1972, the two parties have produced 18 different winners — 10 Democrats and eight Republicans, according to an analysis by The Des Moines Register. In the annals of expected news, Mr. Trump won the G.O.P. caucuses in Iowa.
Only three of them would eventually win the presidency. But seven of the 10 Democrats who won their caucuses later won the Democratic nomination, compared to just three of the Republicans. The contest was largely symbolic: While Democrats have saturated the Iowa airwaves for over a year, Mr. Trump faced little opposition in the Republican caucuses. In past years, Republicans have canceled their caucuses when an incumbent president was running for re-election.
So, if you’re a Democrat, winning the caucuses means you have fairly decent odds of eventually capturing the nomination — if not the White House.
In the annals of expected news, The Associated Press has declared Mr. Trump the winner of the G.O.P. caucuses.
The contest was largely symbolic: While Democrats have saturated the Iowa airwaves for over a year, Mr. Trump faced little opposition in the Republican caucuses. In past years, Republicans have canceled their caucuses when an incumbent president is running for re-election.
Still, Mr. Trump and his team have used the past week to try and grab some attention away from the Democrats. On Thursday, Mr. Trump drew more than 7,000 fans to a rally where he predicted that Iowa would deliver for him again in November. He also deployed cabinet secretaries, top Republican officials and Trump family members to the state.Still, Mr. Trump and his team have used the past week to try and grab some attention away from the Democrats. On Thursday, Mr. Trump drew more than 7,000 fans to a rally where he predicted that Iowa would deliver for him again in November. He also deployed cabinet secretaries, top Republican officials and Trump family members to the state.
The Trump campaign reacted to the confusion on the Democratic side with glee, and questioned the legitimacy of the contest.
“Democrats are stewing in a caucus mess of their own creation with the sloppiest train wreck in history,” said Brad Parscale, Mr. Trump’s campaign manager. “It would be natural for people to doubt the fairness of the process. And these are the people who want to run our entire health care system?”
DES MOINES — Ms. Warren tried to win some last-minute support at Roosevelt High School here, holding a photo line and thanking caucusgoers as they headed into a small gymnasium.DES MOINES — Ms. Warren tried to win some last-minute support at Roosevelt High School here, holding a photo line and thanking caucusgoers as they headed into a small gymnasium.
Ms. Warren, who needs to do well in Iowa in order to springboard her candidacy in other parts of the country, appeared confident and relaxed as she shook hands with well-wishers, many of whom were wearing “Warren” pins and buttons, or donning her signature “liberty green” color.Ms. Warren, who needs to do well in Iowa in order to springboard her candidacy in other parts of the country, appeared confident and relaxed as she shook hands with well-wishers, many of whom were wearing “Warren” pins and buttons, or donning her signature “liberty green” color.
She won big on the first alignment at the precinct, Des Moines 41. Her total was 204; Mr. Sanders’s was 140; Mr. Buttigieg’s was 111; and Ms. Klobuchar’s was 104. Mr. Biden, at 71, was not viable.She won big on the first alignment at the precinct, Des Moines 41. Her total was 204; Mr. Sanders’s was 140; Mr. Buttigieg’s was 111; and Ms. Klobuchar’s was 104. Mr. Biden, at 71, was not viable.
DES MOINES — Mr. Biden had a message for supporters on Monday night: The primary race was just beginning.
“This is just the start of the nominating race — we’ve got a long way to go,” he wrote in a fund-raising email, calling Monday night’s caucuses in Iowa “the first big step, but one of many steps to go, of many delegates yet to still be awarded in this Democratic primary.”
“Whatever happens tonight, I intend to compete every step of the way and fight for every one of your votes,” Mr. Biden wrote.
Mr. Biden was set to hold his caucus night party at Drake University in Des Moines. Earlier in the day, he brought pizzas to a campaign office and expressed confidence about how he would fare in the caucuses. “I’m feeling good about today,” he said.
Afterward, Mr. Biden was asked by a reporter if his campaign could survive anything short of a first-place finish in Iowa.
“We’re going to survive all the way through this whole thing,” Mr. Biden said.
JOHNSTON — Ms. Klobuchar made her final pitch to Iowa caucusgoers here, telling a crowd of about 350 that Democrats must defeat Mr. Trump in November. “The most important thing is that we win in the general election,” she said, addressing a precinct at Johnston Middle School.JOHNSTON — Ms. Klobuchar made her final pitch to Iowa caucusgoers here, telling a crowd of about 350 that Democrats must defeat Mr. Trump in November. “The most important thing is that we win in the general election,” she said, addressing a precinct at Johnston Middle School.
Ms. Klobuchar came here because Johnston is a Des Moines suburb that flipped from Republican to Democratic in 2018. It’s filled with the sort of moderate Democrats she is banking on to support her.Ms. Klobuchar came here because Johnston is a Des Moines suburb that flipped from Republican to Democratic in 2018. It’s filled with the sort of moderate Democrats she is banking on to support her.
Mr. Biden is also counting on those moderates, but the results of the first alignment were disappointing for him.Mr. Biden is also counting on those moderates, but the results of the first alignment were disappointing for him.
The viable candidates at Johnston 2: Mr. Sanders, who had the support of 76 caucusgoers; Ms. Klobuchar, 75; Mr. Buttigieg, 70; and Ms. Warren, 59.The viable candidates at Johnston 2: Mr. Sanders, who had the support of 76 caucusgoers; Ms. Klobuchar, 75; Mr. Buttigieg, 70; and Ms. Warren, 59.
Not viable were Mr. Biden, at 37; Mr. Yang, at 33; Mr. Steyer, at 4, and Ms. Gabbard, at 4.Not viable were Mr. Biden, at 37; Mr. Yang, at 33; Mr. Steyer, at 4, and Ms. Gabbard, at 4.
In the final round, Ms. Warren picked up more of Mr. Biden’s supporters than her rivals. The numbers: Ms. Klobuchar, 106; Mr. Sanders, 83; Mr. Buttigieg, 81; Ms. Warren, 69.In the final round, Ms. Warren picked up more of Mr. Biden’s supporters than her rivals. The numbers: Ms. Klobuchar, 106; Mr. Sanders, 83; Mr. Buttigieg, 81; Ms. Warren, 69.
Shortly before the first-round totals were announced, a Yang supporter tried convincing the Biden precinct captain to jump to Mr. Yang, saying of Mr. Biden, “He’s the one that caused this whole impeachment trouble.”Shortly before the first-round totals were announced, a Yang supporter tried convincing the Biden precinct captain to jump to Mr. Yang, saying of Mr. Biden, “He’s the one that caused this whole impeachment trouble.”
“He shouldn’t have gotten his son that job for $50,000 per month,” the Yang supporter, who declined to give her name, added. But her argument fell flat.“He shouldn’t have gotten his son that job for $50,000 per month,” the Yang supporter, who declined to give her name, added. But her argument fell flat.
Mr. Biden’s weakness at the Johnston precinct, however, suggests he may have a poor showing statewide.Mr. Biden’s weakness at the Johnston precinct, however, suggests he may have a poor showing statewide.
WAUKEE — Roughly 100 people showed up for a Republican caucus at Waukee Elementary School, a turnout that delighted Mick Mulvaney, the White House chief of staff — here in his personal capacity, he said. “I was told to expect like 30,” he told the crowd.WAUKEE — Roughly 100 people showed up for a Republican caucus at Waukee Elementary School, a turnout that delighted Mick Mulvaney, the White House chief of staff — here in his personal capacity, he said. “I was told to expect like 30,” he told the crowd.
The results of the caucus were a foregone conclusion, and Jim Marwedel knew it.The results of the caucus were a foregone conclusion, and Jim Marwedel knew it.
Mr. Marwedel, visibly nervous, came to the front of the gymnasium to encourage his fellow caucusgoers to support Joe Walsh, who is running against Mr. Trump for the G.O.P. nomination. It was a matter of protecting the Constitution, he said, arguing that Mr. Trump’s use of executive authority could open the door for a Democratic president to abuse his or her power.Mr. Marwedel, visibly nervous, came to the front of the gymnasium to encourage his fellow caucusgoers to support Joe Walsh, who is running against Mr. Trump for the G.O.P. nomination. It was a matter of protecting the Constitution, he said, arguing that Mr. Trump’s use of executive authority could open the door for a Democratic president to abuse his or her power.
“We need to stand for the Constitution, even if it means we have to stand up to our friends,” Mr. Marwedel, 50, said. “So with that, I’m thankful that you let me talk to you. I hope you can see why I’m voting for Joe Walsh, and I just encourage you as you go forward —”“We need to stand for the Constitution, even if it means we have to stand up to our friends,” Mr. Marwedel, 50, said. “So with that, I’m thankful that you let me talk to you. I hope you can see why I’m voting for Joe Walsh, and I just encourage you as you go forward —”
He cut himself off.He cut himself off.
“I know you’re mostly going to support Trump,” he said, before adding plaintively: “But please understand that people like me are conservative, and we’re not trying to just bad-mouth the president. We’re trying to preserve the Constitution.”“I know you’re mostly going to support Trump,” he said, before adding plaintively: “But please understand that people like me are conservative, and we’re not trying to just bad-mouth the president. We’re trying to preserve the Constitution.”
DUBUQUE — As a stream of people checked in to Precinct 19 in a middle school cafeteria, they were greeted by a sight from their adolescent pasts, as well as an old dilemma: Which was the cool kids’ table?
Volunteers for the candidates were holding campaign signs and directing voters to tables. Hannah Grove, who was sitting at a table for Mr. Sanders, said she had been behind him since 2015.
“I’m feeling pretty good about his chances tonight,” she said. “I’m pretty confident just from what I’ve been seeing on social media,” she said. “He’s been on the same message for like four years, so that’s what really calls me.”
But Adam Eikamp, who was seated at Ms. Warren’s table and said he had caucused for Mr. Sanders four years ago, said that if Ms. Warren wasn’t viable at the precinct, he would realign with Ms. Klobuchar. “What makes more sense would be to go with Sanders, but I don’t like the guy,” he said.
Over at the table for Mr. Buttigieg, Ry Myer had dispatched volunteers to canvass in recent weeks and had high hopes for his candidate. “I had a box with 197 packets to knock, and each one of those packets had about 30 to 50 doors. They all got done except eight or 10,” he said.
CEDAR RAPIDS — It is standing room only at the Republican caucus site here, where upward of 250 people have showed up for a vote that doesn’t appear in doubt.
Judging from the abundance of Trump paraphernalia in the crowd — red hats, rhinestone pins, T-shirts — the president seems well positioned to win.
Adding some star power to the event was Betsy DeVos, the secretary of education, who received a round of warm, sustained applause after she was introduced.
“America will never be a socialist country,” Ms. DeVos said, receiving a hearty round of applause.
COMPTON, Calif. — There’s one candidate saying that whatever happens in Iowa tonight does not matter all that much: Mr. Bloomberg.COMPTON, Calif. — There’s one candidate saying that whatever happens in Iowa tonight does not matter all that much: Mr. Bloomberg.
The former New York mayor spent Monday flying through California, stopping in Sacramento, Fresno and Compton. He shook hands with voters, took a few questions from reporters and plans to get on a plane to Michigan tonight.The former New York mayor spent Monday flying through California, stopping in Sacramento, Fresno and Compton. He shook hands with voters, took a few questions from reporters and plans to get on a plane to Michigan tonight.
Mr. Bloomberg is waging an extremely unconventional campaign, skipping the first four early states entirely and instead focusing on Super Tuesday and beyond.Mr. Bloomberg is waging an extremely unconventional campaign, skipping the first four early states entirely and instead focusing on Super Tuesday and beyond.
“I’m a believer that if you want to fight the last war, you believe things like whoever wins Iowa goes all the way,” Mr. Bloomberg said in an interview at a community center in Compton on Monday. “You believe that only six states matter. That was the last election. That’s not true today.”“I’m a believer that if you want to fight the last war, you believe things like whoever wins Iowa goes all the way,” Mr. Bloomberg said in an interview at a community center in Compton on Monday. “You believe that only six states matter. That was the last election. That’s not true today.”
Early voting officially began Monday in California, and Mr. Bloomberg is urging supporters to cast a ballot for him now. Though Mr. Bloomberg mostly demurred from playing pundit Monday, he stands to gain if the moderates stumble in Iowa tonight. Early voting officially began Monday in California, and Mr. Bloomberg is urging supporters to cast a ballot for him now. Though Mr. Bloomberg mostly demurred from playing pundit, he stands to gain if the moderates stumble in Iowa.
DES MOINES — The Trump campaign barred a Bloomberg News journalist from attending its news conference in Iowa on Monday, the first instance of a reporter being removed from a political event in the 2020 campaign.
Jennifer Jacobs, a senior White House reporter at Bloomberg News, was walked out of a hotel ballroom in West Des Moines by Trump aides, according to a person familiar with the incident.
The Trump campaign had previously pledged to bar Bloomberg journalists from its rallies after the outlet’s owner, Mr. Bloomberg, declared his presidential run. The Trump campaign broke from years of precedent in 2016 by barring journalists from multiple outlets — including The Washington Post and Politico — from attending events, prompting criticism from press advocates.
In December, Trump aides criticized Bloomberg News after it announced it would not investigate Mr. Bloomberg’s rivals in the Democratic race. A spokeswoman for Bloomberg News declined to comment on Monday. Last month, its editor in chief, John Micklethwait, said “the accusation of bias couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Maggie Astor, Nick Corasaniti, Reid J. Epstein, Trip Gabriel, Shane Goldmacher, Michael Grynbaum, Astead W. Herndon, Thomas Kaplan, Lisa Lerer, Jennifer Medina, Jonathan Martin and Jeremy W. Peters contributed reporting.Maggie Astor, Nick Corasaniti, Reid J. Epstein, Trip Gabriel, Shane Goldmacher, Michael Grynbaum, Astead W. Herndon, Thomas Kaplan, Lisa Lerer, Jennifer Medina, Jonathan Martin and Jeremy W. Peters contributed reporting.