We will see about that when they start counting the votes. Now we are going to aishah hasnie. All the jokes on the campaign trail. Thank you, rich. Yes, we are here at nikki haleys headquarters. I can tell you the former south Carolina Governor wants to finish strong in iowa. What that means exactly nobody knows because she wont say. In fact, this campaign has been playing it very close to the vest here. They havent even released though the commitments to Caucus Members that governor Ron Desantis has. Now, i can tell you that haley has had the most Tv Ad Support in this state. And she might even get a big Boost Tonight from independents and democrats if they follow Iowa Tradition and switch their Party Affiliation Tonight on site to help her rival former president trump. And that would certainly play into haleys new messaging throughout that this is now a twoperson race. You dont defeat Democrat Chaos with republican chaos
So, not taking this for granted and neither is the Trump Campaign, taking anything for granted here in iowa. You can see the dozens of volunteers behind me, they have been here throughout the day making calls, trying to reach as many iowans as possible to number one, make sure that they show up to caucus tonight. But also to make sure they know where their Caucus Sites are and that they show up early. Here at Trump Campaign h. Q. , several members of congress have stopped by to shake hands with supporters, say hello and thank you to them. And former president trump himself at a Rally Yesterday here in iowa told his supporters they have got to get out tonight, no matter the Weather Conditions and no matter their condition. You cant sit home. If you are sick as a dog, you say oh, im not going to make it. Even if you vote and then pass away, its worth it. Most folks are paying attention to where former South Carolina Governor nikki haley
Way Caucus Goers are leaning. Disgraced former president maintains a commanding lead against his opponents, receiving 48 of the support. Coming in as a not close second, but gaining ground, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley at 20 . That puts her ahead of florida governor ron desantis, who is already downplaying his slip into third place, telling supporters, quote, dont worry about any of these polls. Joining me now live from ames, iowa, is nbc News Correspondent Ali there she is. Mark murray popped up for a second, and i thought, whoa. So ali, youve been driving across iowa this weekend. What are you hearing from Caucus Goers . Look, we love marc murray, and mark and i are just clearly too excited to do the debut of your show at this time. Were just competing with each other. Were not the only ones, of course, the candidates are competing with each other, and
Iowa caucuses, Nikki Haley and Ron Desantis in a furious scramble for second place. Even as they work to sow seeds of doubt about the electability of the former president. Here in iowa, you have the ability to change the trajectory of american politics. Do something. You can be the start of the solution that we have. Reporter the closely watched Des Moines register Iowa Poll found trump with a commanding lead and found that 68 of caucusgoers have made up their minds. But a quarter are still deciding. I hope after this you commit to us and come out tomorrow and help us. Reporter the stakes are remarkably high for the florida governor, who has placed his hopes on a strong iowa finish. He is counting on a robust organization to ward off a late shift towards haley. As the former south Carolina Governor took the stage at weekend rallies, Drew Klein Navigated the snowcovered streets of the suburbs, going Door To door in search of haley
Desantis who has staked so much here in iowa to really launch him forward to the next stage, or someone like former South Carolina governor, nikki haley, who has had a lot of momentum as we are going into the first voting. Here is what they were saying to their supporters. There are only two possible nominees donald Trump Or Governor desantis, we are the only ones who have strong support against bedrock conservative reporters. To win the republican nomination, you have to do that. Does it concern you in a republican contest that it is not republicans but more democrats and particularly independence . Thats what i told Republican Party they should do. Republicans have lost The Last Seven of eight popular votes for president , that is not something to be proud of. We should want to win the majority of americans. Reporter the haley campaign