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A2 UP FRONT
Monday 22 august 2022
Continued from Front to keep his political remarks 2024, according to a July
Several would-be GOP focused on the November Des Moines Register/Medi-
candidates have quietly midterm election, when acom Iowa Poll. One-third
made political inroads in Grassley is on the ballot, of respondents said they
the first-in-the-nation nomi- and not on the 2024 presi- hope he doesn't.
nating state, but they've dential race. Trump has enjoyed his
done so by campaigning "It's an honor to be here kingmaker status over the
with Iowa candidates, not at the Iowa State Fair with past few months, boosting
by being so obvious as to you," he told Grassley, with his endorsed candidates
stand on straw bales at a the politicians surrounded to victory in primary elec-
perennial stop for White by dozens of news report- tions ranging from top of
House hopefuls. ers and photographers in the ticket to state legisla-
"There's a bit of a Trump the shadow of the century- ture. And while he faces a
effect going on. They are old brick grandstand. "Iowa number of swirling investi-
still coming here. But they and America need six more gations, including scrutiny
know there needs to be years of Chuck Grassley." from a U.S. Department of
that emphasis that they are Pence later got caught in Justice search of his Florida
here for Iowa Republican Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks to reporters during a a fast-developing thunder- home for classified docu-
visit to the Iowa State Fair, Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Des Moines,
candidates," said Michael Iowa. storm, which soaked him ments, aides say it's more
Bousselot, a former top Associated Press and his entourage as they a matter of when he an-
aide to Republican Gov. sought shelter under the nounces his candidacy for
Kim Reynolds and now a entered the gates on Des critic, was there last week. Iowa Pork Producers tent. president than whether he
Des Moines-area GOP state Moines' working-class east A cowboy-boot-wear- Undeterred, Pence waded announces it.
representative. "The fair is side were doing so with lit- ing Pence was escorted through the damp crowds Kevin Holmes, a Repub-
more in-your-face cam- tle such concern. by seven-term Republi- of fairgoers and even got lican from central Iowa,
paigning. If you're too over- Mike Pence, Trump's es- can Sen. Chuck Grassley, in a few bites of one of the would "absolutely" consider
eager, people might say, tranged former vice presi- as have countless White fair's signature hand-held supporting an alternative
'Whoa, President Trump is dent, visited the fair Friday, House prospects over the caloric monstrosities. to Trump in the 2024 cau-
still the guy.'" and Maryland Gov. Larry years. The former vice presi- As hail pummeled the roof, cuses.
That means the few who Hogan, a prominent Trump dent was careful, however, Pence sampled a "picnic in "I'm just not happy with
a cup" — pulled pork, cole- Trump's character," the
slaw, baked beans and Fri- 61-year-old retired police
tos, topped with barbecue officer said while touring
sauce and bacon. the fair with his wife. "He's
Politicians' food choices alienated an awful lot of
and attire at the Iowa State people. If there were a vi-
Fair are almost as important able alternative, I wouldn't
as the visits themselves. hesitate to get on board."
In 2003, Democrat John While Florida Gov. Ron De-
Kerry memorably ordered a Santis — a common Trump
strawberry smoothie, nota- alternative mentioned by
ble for an event known for Iowa Republicans — has
its celebration of meat and steered clear of Iowa as he
deep-fried foods. In 2007, seeks reelection in Novem-
Republican Fred Thompson ber, others such as Arkan-
was mocked for sporting sas Sen. Tom Cotton, for-
Gucci loafers, which stood mer U.N. Ambassador Nikki
out among the more com- Haley, former Secretary of
mon flip-flops and cowboy State Mike Pompeo and
boots of attendees. others have visited Iowa
Hogan more anonymously this summer to campaign
chowed down on a grilled for Reynolds, Grassley and
pork chops — a rite of pas- others.
sage for any White House On Thursday, Cruz was in
aspirant — as he mean- the northern Iowa summer
dered through the fair with resort town of Clear Lake,
Reynolds, his fellow gover- headlining a private fund-
nor. raiser for Grassley.
Despite the smiles and Cruz, who won the 2016
laughter they shared, the caucuses and cam-
pair painted an awkward paigned deep into that
political picture. Reynolds, primary season, said this
heavily favored to win re- month he would wait to see
election in November, is what Trump's plans were
backed by Trump and is a before he entertained a
devoted supporter of the second presidential cam-
former president. paign. He also suggested
The dynamic reflects both a Trump candidacy would
the state GOP's pro-Trump keep several prospects
lean but also the lurking li- from entering the 2024
abilities for him. race.
A majority of Iowa Repub- With that in mind, Cruz was
licans — 57% — said they in and out of Iowa in one
hope Trump decides to day, avoiding the fair by
run again for president in 110 miles.q