On Friday, hopefuls and supporters faced additional challenges of Iowa weather as the state encountered its second major snowfall just three days before Republicans kicked off their presidential nomination process.
Iowa Weather Alert: Severe Winter Ahead
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, significant, potentially record-breaking snowfall and blizzard conditions are expected in most parts of Iowa weather. NWS stated on Thursday, “Dangerous winter weather is expected to begin tonight with heavy snowfall.” There is a possibility of whiteout conditions through Friday night. To brace for this hazardous part of Iowa weather winter, plan ahead until early next week, as wind chills may drop as low as -45F [-43C].
Iowa Weather Chaos of Snow & Shutdowns
In Washington, D.C., and New York, journalists searched for thermal underwear and flights that hadn’t been canceled yet. In City Iowa weather, home to the University of Iowa, heavy snow covered the roads throughout the night, making commuting challenging. Some roads were mostly deserted due to the temperature hovering around 15F (-9C). Locals, including students and other residents, gathered supplies as snow plows worked outside.
Schools and businesses shut down due Iowa weather life threatening conditions. In Des Moines, performing arts groups announced the merger of the Civic Center and Stoner Theater through the Stomp Group stamp.
Trump Leads Iowa Polls, Carson Affirms Support
According to Iowa polling, Donald Trump is expected to dominate over all his rivals on Monday. However, he has chosen to leave the grand-scale personal campaign, spending his time in heated courtrooms in Washington and New York, while surrogates crisscross between grand mansions and town halls.
On Wednesday, Ben Carson, the former neurosurgeon who ran for president in 2016, then became the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Trump, told attendees in DeWitt that Trump’s support was right. Finally, Carson said, there was no “Boy Scout” in the Bible.
Trump, who famously criticized the Boy Scouts and displeased parents with a speech in New York, is facing 91 criminal allegations. Thirteen of them are related to the 2016 election interference, keeping 40 confidential pieces of information, and involve payments to a mature film star who claimed an affair.
The former president is also dealing with legal cases related to his business affairs and allegations of sexual misconduct, including one judge describing them as “credible to some extent,” and attempts to sway the January 6th insurgency by obstructing voting, one of which has reached the Supreme Court.
Iowa weather Campaign Challengers Adapt to Snowfall
As reported by the Associated Press, Carson responded to friends in a room with “verbal reactions – yes and no, amen and laughter – directed at him.”
Poll averages gave Trump a significant lead in Iowa: FiveThirtyEight with 35 points, and RealClearPolitics with 36.
Among his other challengers, Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina who was considered a major contender, canceled personal appearances scheduled for Friday and moved them to “Tally Town Halls” instead. A spokesperson stated that the snowfall campaign would not stop, “ensuring that Iowans hear Nikki’s vision for a strong and proud America.”
At least initially, Florida’s hard-right governor, Ron DeSantis, who was keen on making significant inroads, engaged in deception. In Iowa weather, Businesswoman Vicki Ramswamy, providing insights into the politics, said, “George Washington crossed the Delaware through the ice and snow on Christmas Day in 1776. Another day of snow in Iowa, another day of events . We will continue until we can physically build it.”
Before the second snowfall of the week, Ramswamy documented the difficulty of one place with a drive of more than five hours in the snow from northwest Iowa weather to Des Moines. “Got stuck in the snow on the way. Five of us tried to push the SUV out, finally got it completed with the help of a good Iowan,” he shared in a post.
Ramswamy’s Concerns in Iowa Weather
It’s unfortunate that for Ramswamy, who failed to qualify for the final debates happening this week in Des Moines, his spirited campaign seems to be ending with a big sigh. He hinted towards concern for all candidates, though – as things could freeze in caucus mode.
Ramswamy said, “We respect the action of the Caucus during Iowa weather. I urge everyone in these communities to stay safe and respect their decisions today, as we continue to make every effort to express ourselves fully.”
“The weather issue can end the intensity of the season,” he said, quoting an assistant. “But first, a win is a win. And I know the expectations, but so far, no one has won Iowa by more than 12 points. So, this is our goal.”
Ultimately, with Trump in the picture so far, the fight between Haley and DeSantis is getting the most attention. If Haley wants to win, she needs to prepare herself to bend towards Trump’s favor in New Hampshire, mostly expecting that DeSantis will drop out.
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