Former President Donald Trump, in his final campaign rally in Iowa, urged his supporters to fight against complacency and to set the tone for the GOP nomination race by delivering him a big win Monday in the caucuses.
Mr. Trump said the caucuses are the first chance for “the forgotten man and woman” to send a message to his Republican rivals, President Biden and the “henchmen” in Washington who are trying to stunt his rise.
“Brave the weather and go out and save America,” Mr. Trump told a packed hall at Simpson College. “Under Crooked Joe Biden, our country is dying. I am the only candidate who is up to the task of saving Americans from every single Biden disaster.”
Mr. Trump also received an endorsement from North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. “You have the opportunity to send a message to the nation and the world that Donald J. Trump will make America great again,” said Mr. Burgum, who last month ended his long-shot bid for the GOP nomination.
Mr. Trump is in the driver’s seat in Iowa. He has hovered around 50% in polls and a big win in the kickoff nomination contest on Monday would further the air of inevitability around his campaign.
“No matter what the polls say, you have got to vote,” he said. He later added in jest, “Even if you vote and pass away it is worth it.”
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Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, biotech tycoon Vivek Ramaswamy and other lesser-known candidates have been barnstorming the state in search of late-breaking voters.
Mr. Trump also took some final pre-caucus shots at Mr. DeSantis and Ms. Haley.
Mr. Trump said the lack of loyalty Mr. DeSantis showed him by running doomed him from the start.
Turning to Ms. Haley, Mr. Trump said, “She is not tough enough.”
“She is starting to fade,” he said, before warning that “warmongers,” “globalists” and Democrats are propping up her campaign.
Mr. Trump said Mr. Biden would beat them both in a general election.
The event was briefly interrupted by climate change protestors who called Mr. Trump a “criminal.”
Mr. Trump is the clear front-runner in the race.
Mr. Trump is the preferred pick of 48% of Iowa voters, followed by Ms. Haley, 20%, Mr. DeSantis, 16%, and Vivek Ramaswamy, 8%, according to the final Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa poll.
The survey found his voters are more locked in and more energized. He also is the top choice of evangelical Christians who have historically dominated the Republican caucuses.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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