This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jan/23/donald-trump-chuck-grassley-iowa-chuck-grassley

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Is Trump winning over 'establishment' with Iowa senator's support? Is Trump winning over 'establishment' with Iowa senator's support?
(35 minutes later)
Senator Chuck Grassley introduced Donald Trump at a rally in Iowa on Saturday, using the billionaire’s “make America great again” slogan, and hinting that mainstream Republicans could get behind the candidate if it meant the defeat of Texas senator Ted Cruz.Senator Chuck Grassley introduced Donald Trump at a rally in Iowa on Saturday, using the billionaire’s “make America great again” slogan, and hinting that mainstream Republicans could get behind the candidate if it meant the defeat of Texas senator Ted Cruz.
“I want Mr Trump to know I appreciate his support for me and most importantly for Iowa being first in the nation and all our important Iowa caucus.” “I want Mr Trump to know I appreciate his support for me and most importantly for Iowa being first in the nation and our all-important Iowa caucus.”
The veteran Iowa senator went on to attack what he saw as the unconstitutional actions of Barack Obama and told attendees they needed the same energy they showed Trump “to win back the White House in November”.The veteran Iowa senator went on to attack what he saw as the unconstitutional actions of Barack Obama and told attendees they needed the same energy they showed Trump “to win back the White House in November”.
He also sounded some favorite themes of Trump, telling the audience: “You and I believe in sovereign borders, you and I believe in the right to keep and bear arms.” He also sounded some favorite themes of Trump, telling the audience: “You and I believe in sovereign borders; you and I believe in the right to keep and bear arms.”
No federal elected official has yet to endorse Trump although others, like Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, have appeared at Trump rallies. No federal elected official has yet to endorse Trump, although others, such as Alabama senator Jeff Sessions, have appeared at Trump rallies.
Trump described Grassley without his usual vitriol for career politicians, saying the senator was as “a great guy, respected by everybody”. Trump described Grassley without his usual vitriol for career politicians, saying the senator was “a great guy, respected by everybody”.
Grassley, a six-term senator who is regularly re-elected with two-thirds of the vote, appeared at the event on the same day that Texas senator Ted Cruz made a campaign appearance in Grassley’s hometown of New Hartford, Iowa, population 514. The Iowa senator, known as the “hog farmer from New Harford”, has never endorsed in the caucuses and long been beloved among Republicans in the Hawkeye State. Grassley, a six-term senator who is regularly re-elected with two-thirds of the vote, appeared at the event on the same day that Texas senator Ted Cruz made a campaign appearance in Grassley’s hometown of New Hartford, Iowa, population 514. The Iowa senator, known as the “hog farmer from New Harford”, has never endorsed in the caucuses and long been beloved among Republicans in the Hawkeye state.
Jill Kozeny, a spokeswoman for Grassley, told the Guardian in a statement that the senator “has been attending events for and with Republican presidential candidates (all, I believe) in Iowa since last summer, whenever he’s been invited and it can be scheduled.Jill Kozeny, a spokeswoman for Grassley, told the Guardian in a statement that the senator “has been attending events for and with Republican presidential candidates (all, I believe) in Iowa since last summer, whenever he’s been invited and it can be scheduled.
“Grassley will be on the campaign trail with others, too, through next weekend. He’s committed to doing whatever he can to help elect a Republican president this year.”“Grassley will be on the campaign trail with others, too, through next weekend. He’s committed to doing whatever he can to help elect a Republican president this year.”
She added that the senator plans to appear at an event held for fellow senator Marco Rubio next Saturday as well.
The Iowa senator declined to answer questions about his attendance at the rally, merely saying “I’m just here” and “I just want to beat Hillary” when the press shouted questions at him. Grassley sat in the front row of the theater at Central College.The Iowa senator declined to answer questions about his attendance at the rally, merely saying “I’m just here” and “I just want to beat Hillary” when the press shouted questions at him. Grassley sat in the front row of the theater at Central College.
Grassley’s presence at the rally is likely a sign of the Republican establishment’s distaste for Cruz. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, another six-term Republican, told reporters that he wants to see the Texas senator defeated in the Iowa caucuses because of his opposition to ethanol. Grassley’s presence at the rally is likely a sign of the Republican establishment’s distaste for Cruz. Iowa governor Terry Branstad, another six-term Republican, told reporters that he wants to see the Texas senator defeated in the Iowa caucuses because of his opposition to ethanol.
Cruz is also deeply unpopular with Senate colleagues and a number of prominent Washington political figures, including Bob Dole, have explicitly said they prefer Trump to Cruz because of Cruz’s personality. But few prominent Republicans have voiced their support for the real estate billionaire, who has instead courted support from figures such as Sarah Palin, the former governor and reality TV star who last held office in 2009.Cruz is also deeply unpopular with Senate colleagues and a number of prominent Washington political figures, including Bob Dole, have explicitly said they prefer Trump to Cruz because of Cruz’s personality. But few prominent Republicans have voiced their support for the real estate billionaire, who has instead courted support from figures such as Sarah Palin, the former governor and reality TV star who last held office in 2009.
The Trump campaign did not respond to request for comment. A Grassley spokesman said the scheduling was coincidental. “Everything’s scheduled based on logistics,” she said. “Senator Grassley has an event in Des Moines this evening.”The Trump campaign did not respond to request for comment. A Grassley spokesman said the scheduling was coincidental. “Everything’s scheduled based on logistics,” she said. “Senator Grassley has an event in Des Moines this evening.”
Earlier on Saturday, Trump reinforced his reputation as the most outrageous candidate in the presidential field, saying his current dominance over his Republican rivals would not weaken even if he shot someone.Earlier on Saturday, Trump reinforced his reputation as the most outrageous candidate in the presidential field, saying his current dominance over his Republican rivals would not weaken even if he shot someone.
“I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters,” the billionaire said at a rally Dordt College, a Christian school in Sioux Center, Iowa. “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters,” the billionaire said at a rally at Dordt College, a Christian school in Sioux Center, Iowa.
The billionaire proceeded to belittle his rivals, as he often does, as well as Glenn Beck, the conservative radio host who has largely thrown his support to Cruz. Beck joined more than a dozen prominent conservatives who declared themselves “against Trump” in the National Review magazine last week. The billionaire proceeded to belittle his rivals, as he often does, as well as Glenn Beck, the conservative radio host who has largely thrown his support to Cruz. Beck joined more than a dozen prominent conservatives who declared themselves “against Trump” in the magazine National Review last week.