Who can get the most voters out. The recordbreaking Cold Weather here in iowa will make that even harder than ever before. Take a look at the scene outside right now. Subzero temperatures, dangerous conditions complicating travel to the Caucus Sites. 1,657 separate Caucus Sites across the state. It is a crucial night where well learn how strong donald trumps grip on the Republican Party really is, and if any of his rivals can beat expectations and change the nature of this race. Cnn is covering these iowa caucuses from all angles. I want to start with elana treen, whos been following the trump campaign. Reporter well, good afternoon, dana. I really want to focus on donald trumps closing arguments to iowans over the weekend. His main message was to please turn out and caucus. We know that over the past
Has put in is going to pay off. They believe they have a Ground Game here that is built to withstand the conditions. They have 1600 precinct captains. They have someone registered and signed up to speak, including lawmakers from back in florida, longtime friends, people who have worked for him for years, theyll be speaking at caucuses, trying to convince republicans that its time to vote for them. He is also offering rides to people to get to the caucus sites. Ive been told from One Campaign official, quote, if it means shoveling a driveway, we will do it. They may have to do it in parts of the state like cedar rapids. It is cold here. It is negative 15 degrees outside. The roads are very icy. Parts of Des Moines that we have visited, the streets are plowed. Around here there are still roads that are very slick. Weve talked to people who have had trouble getting their cars started, tires blown out. Its going to be an obstacle for his campaign, but they believe they have the infrastruct
She said her street is still not cleared. For all those Caucus Sites we talked about, 28 counties in iowa, only have one caucus location. People will be driving a long distance in some rural areas. Will that hurt trump . Will it help haley in the suburbs . All those things were thinking about as the day goes on. Thats such a good point. All the points you made were great points but the rural areas that tend to be trump county, in all of the Country Trump is sending cars. They have cars in various areas i hope theyre trucks and not cars. They are anticipating the snow. They were anticipating the weather. They also know the rural areas were hit the hardest. They do have an operation in place to get people to those Caucus Sites. One of the things we cannot lose sight of, which is really the most important dynamic right here in iowa and maybe going forward well see is donald trump. His staying power, how devoted
Are going to get our country on track. Remember, Today Is The Day we make history. I am running on your issues and family issues to turn this country around. Here is what is interesting. You did not see trump, right . He made his final argument online. President biden and while trump dominates the race, of course, anything can happen. Tonights results could solidify trumps dominance over the Party Or Signal a shift. Indeed. Anything can happen, as we always say. We have a team of correspondents inside Caucus Sites and at the headquarters as we begin our special live coverage of this important historic day in iowa. Beginning our coverage in Des Moines for us right now. Today is the day. Give us a sense of what we can expect . Reporter if all of the campaigns have been working variously behind the scenes throughout the day from the beginning of sign up through
your prediction. it s going to be a great night for us. i think we will have a lot to celebrate because people have worked hard and a lot of energy. define a great night. you guys will know it. bill: and governor desantis says he s going to be flying all over the state today to visit different caucus sites in an effort to collect some last-minute undecided voters here in the state of iowa, and reacting to the poll that shows nikki haley in second place, almost half of her supporters say they would vote for joe biden over donald trump in a general election. what he had to say about that. she has no ability to win those voters so she s only playing for a sliver and then hoping she can get in like new hampshire where democrats and independents can come and vote or at least the democratic-leaning independents. but that s not a path to win the republican nomination. and desantis told us look, he knows the bottom line is people