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| Early results start coming in from Iowa caucuses | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| DES MOINES — After months of heated rhetoric and fierce jockeying among a large Republican presidential field and a smaller, but equally spirited Democratic contest, the 2016 race for the White House on Monday at last trained the nation’s political lens squarely on who will matter most: the voters. | DES MOINES — After months of heated rhetoric and fierce jockeying among a large Republican presidential field and a smaller, but equally spirited Democratic contest, the 2016 race for the White House on Monday at last trained the nation’s political lens squarely on who will matter most: the voters. |
| Candidates canvassed Iowa in the final hours ahead of the state’s first-in-the-nation nominating contests, pulling out the remaining stops as they sought to rally supporters to show up at caucus sites in the 99 counties. | Candidates canvassed Iowa in the final hours ahead of the state’s first-in-the-nation nominating contests, pulling out the remaining stops as they sought to rally supporters to show up at caucus sites in the 99 counties. |
| [Voting and analysis: 2016 Iowa election results] | [Voting and analysis: 2016 Iowa election results] |
| Voters gathered at caucus sites around the state and the events officially began at 7 p.m. Central time. Political operatives predicted a high turnout--and there were reports that some sites were so packed that officials had trouble closing the doors--despite a significant snowstorm that was bearing down on the state. Forecasters said the storm would likely hit after the caucuses were closed. | |
| Early results showed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and real estate mogul Donald Trump in a tight race on the Republican side. Cruz had compiled 2,222 votes to Trump’s 2,107 votes with 7 percent of the precincts reporting. On the Democratic side, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton was leading 53 percent to Sen. Bernie Sanders’s 47 percent, with 25 percent of the precincts reporting. | |
| [Early Iowa entrance polls suggest a Trump-friendly electorate] | |
| “I pray we will win,” Cruz said during a stop at a Baptist Church in Marion, Iowa. | |
| Perhaps it made sense that he was calling for support from a higher power in his tough battle for the GOP nomination against Trump, the brash New Yorker who has led the Republican polls since shortly after declaring his candidacy last summer. | |
| Trump and Sanders made their final pushes Monday to coax non-traditional voters to the caucuses here, even as their chief rivals suggested well-tested organizing tactics would give them the crucial margin of victory instead. | |
| Television networks showed Trump, in a solid red tie, visiting a caucus site in West Des Moines with wife, Melania, in a matching all-red ensemble, and taking a seat in the front row. One woman approached and posed with him for a selfie photo on her mobile phone. | Television networks showed Trump, in a solid red tie, visiting a caucus site in West Des Moines with wife, Melania, in a matching all-red ensemble, and taking a seat in the front row. One woman approached and posed with him for a selfie photo on her mobile phone. |
| [Live updates from Iowa] | [Live updates from Iowa] |
| “We are going to bring our country back,” Trump told the caucus crowd, speaking into a microphone. Reflecting on a campaign that was dismissed early on by the political establishment in Washington, Trump said: “It’s really been a journey, an amazing journey. I’m a messenger. We’re going to run it the way it’s supposed to be run--as a great, great country.” | “We are going to bring our country back,” Trump told the caucus crowd, speaking into a microphone. Reflecting on a campaign that was dismissed early on by the political establishment in Washington, Trump said: “It’s really been a journey, an amazing journey. I’m a messenger. We’re going to run it the way it’s supposed to be run--as a great, great country.” |
| Earlier in Waterloo, Iowa, Trump blasted Cruz as a politician indebted to special oil interests. He told voters that his chief caucus rival would, without a doubt, end the federal renewable fuels standard, a key issue in the state. | Earlier in Waterloo, Iowa, Trump blasted Cruz as a politician indebted to special oil interests. He told voters that his chief caucus rival would, without a doubt, end the federal renewable fuels standard, a key issue in the state. |
| “I don’t want to use names, but I will, okay? I’m looking at the money put up by Ted Cruz, for Ted Cruz. It’s incredible, the people there. It’s controlled. And he will destroy your ethanol business 100 percent. One hundred percent,” he said. “He’s financed by oil people, and the oil people don’t want ethanol, it’s very simple. Your ethanol business, if Ted Cruz gets in, will be wiped out within six months to a year.” | “I don’t want to use names, but I will, okay? I’m looking at the money put up by Ted Cruz, for Ted Cruz. It’s incredible, the people there. It’s controlled. And he will destroy your ethanol business 100 percent. One hundred percent,” he said. “He’s financed by oil people, and the oil people don’t want ethanol, it’s very simple. Your ethanol business, if Ted Cruz gets in, will be wiped out within six months to a year.” |
| Cruz and his team ignored the attacks and focused on rallying their supporters to get out to the caucus sites. Cruz appeared at a community center in Jefferson, Iowa, to complete a tour of all of the state’s 99 counties, a strategy his aides believe will pay off. | Cruz and his team ignored the attacks and focused on rallying their supporters to get out to the caucus sites. Cruz appeared at a community center in Jefferson, Iowa, to complete a tour of all of the state’s 99 counties, a strategy his aides believe will pay off. |
| “This race is a statistical tie between me and Donald Trump,” Cruz said. “It all comes down to turnout, who shows up at 7 p.m.” | “This race is a statistical tie between me and Donald Trump,” Cruz said. “It all comes down to turnout, who shows up at 7 p.m.” |
| Cruz’s Iowa director, Bryan English, said many of the senator’s 12,000 volunteers here are calling their friends and neighbors who may be on the fence for Cruz, hoping the personal touch persuades them to caucus for him Monday night. | Cruz’s Iowa director, Bryan English, said many of the senator’s 12,000 volunteers here are calling their friends and neighbors who may be on the fence for Cruz, hoping the personal touch persuades them to caucus for him Monday night. |
| [Does Iowa really matter? And should it?] | [Does Iowa really matter? And should it?] |
| With a massive winter storm looming for the Hawkeye State on Monday night, the campaigns in both parties have closely monitored weather conditions to estimate how voter turnout might be affected. The storm was not expected to hit until after the voting ends. | With a massive winter storm looming for the Hawkeye State on Monday night, the campaigns in both parties have closely monitored weather conditions to estimate how voter turnout might be affected. The storm was not expected to hit until after the voting ends. |
| “Through about 9 p.m. it doesn’t look bad or much snow in any location,” said Roger Vachalek, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, told the Des Moines Register. “I doubt there will be much of any accumulation by that time. Maybe less than half an inch or so in some areas.” | “Through about 9 p.m. it doesn’t look bad or much snow in any location,” said Roger Vachalek, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, told the Des Moines Register. “I doubt there will be much of any accumulation by that time. Maybe less than half an inch or so in some areas.” |
| The candidates were hoping the weather reports are right. | The candidates were hoping the weather reports are right. |
| “We’ve got such a great campaign organization. We’ve got thousands of volunteers. We knocked on 125,000 doors this weekend. There’s just so much excitement,” Clinton said on NBC’s “Today” show Monday morning. “We hope that even though it’s a tight race, a lot of the people who are committed to caucusing for me will be there and standing up for me. And I will do the same for them in the campaign and in the presidency.” | “We’ve got such a great campaign organization. We’ve got thousands of volunteers. We knocked on 125,000 doors this weekend. There’s just so much excitement,” Clinton said on NBC’s “Today” show Monday morning. “We hope that even though it’s a tight race, a lot of the people who are committed to caucusing for me will be there and standing up for me. And I will do the same for them in the campaign and in the presidency.” |
| There is no question that the lack of an incumbent candidate, coupled with the unconventional style of several candidates, has sparked Iowans’ interest in the race this year. Jeff Kaufmann, who chairs the Iowa Republican Party, said his office has been receiving five to six times as many calls compared to past years. | There is no question that the lack of an incumbent candidate, coupled with the unconventional style of several candidates, has sparked Iowans’ interest in the race this year. Jeff Kaufmann, who chairs the Iowa Republican Party, said his office has been receiving five to six times as many calls compared to past years. |
| “The phone calls at the Republican Party of Iowa headquarters are absolutely unprecedented. I mean, we’re looking at 100 an hour, literally,” he said. “Now, obviously, not all of that is tied to Donald Trump. There’s also a lot of these calls that are going to a variety of candidates. But I think that’s a sign of the enthusiasm.” | “The phone calls at the Republican Party of Iowa headquarters are absolutely unprecedented. I mean, we’re looking at 100 an hour, literally,” he said. “Now, obviously, not all of that is tied to Donald Trump. There’s also a lot of these calls that are going to a variety of candidates. But I think that’s a sign of the enthusiasm.” |
| [6 Iowans explain how they’re deciding whom to vote for] | [6 Iowans explain how they’re deciding whom to vote for] |
| Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) echoed that assessment in an interview, saying Trump has “turned out bigger crowds than we’ve ever seen before.” | Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) echoed that assessment in an interview, saying Trump has “turned out bigger crowds than we’ve ever seen before.” |
| “I know everybody is saying, ‘Are they just coming for curiosity?’ But I think they’re for real; they’re committed and will show up for caucuses. I do,” Branstad said. “I’ve been pretty impressed with what they’ve done. | “I know everybody is saying, ‘Are they just coming for curiosity?’ But I think they’re for real; they’re committed and will show up for caucuses. I do,” Branstad said. “I’ve been pretty impressed with what they’ve done. |
| “Of course we saw this phenomenon eight years ago with Obama,” he said, referring to President Obama’s first White House bid. “It was beyond what anyone could have imagined, and I think Trump is a phenomenon, too.” | “Of course we saw this phenomenon eight years ago with Obama,” he said, referring to President Obama’s first White House bid. “It was beyond what anyone could have imagined, and I think Trump is a phenomenon, too.” |
| The Democratic field is much smaller but no less competitive. Clinton, whose comfortable lead in Iowa evaporated earlier this year, has scrambled to try to fend off Sanders, who has attracted massive crowds and an intense grass-roots following that has put an Iowa upset within reach. Former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley is far behind and could see his candidacy come to an effective end Monday night. | The Democratic field is much smaller but no less competitive. Clinton, whose comfortable lead in Iowa evaporated earlier this year, has scrambled to try to fend off Sanders, who has attracted massive crowds and an intense grass-roots following that has put an Iowa upset within reach. Former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley is far behind and could see his candidacy come to an effective end Monday night. |
| Sanders was encircled by volunteers and a crush of reporters as he arrived late Monday morning at his Iowa headquarters in a strip shopping center outside downtown Des Moines. | Sanders was encircled by volunteers and a crush of reporters as he arrived late Monday morning at his Iowa headquarters in a strip shopping center outside downtown Des Moines. |
| “We have come a long, long way in the last nine months,” the Vermont senator told his supporters. “You’ve got a tied ball game, that’s where we are.” | “We have come a long, long way in the last nine months,” the Vermont senator told his supporters. “You’ve got a tied ball game, that’s where we are.” |
| Sanders also pushed back against critics who’ve suggested his agenda is too radical. “Our platform, our agenda, is precisely what the American people want,” he said. | Sanders also pushed back against critics who’ve suggested his agenda is too radical. “Our platform, our agenda, is precisely what the American people want,” he said. |
| Clinton sought to bolster a group of 60 volunteers in her south Des Moines office by dropping by Monday morning — accompanied by her daughter Chelsea — with glazed doughnuts and coffee. | Clinton sought to bolster a group of 60 volunteers in her south Des Moines office by dropping by Monday morning — accompanied by her daughter Chelsea — with glazed doughnuts and coffee. |
| “I had to stop by and tell you how much I appreciate your hard work,” Clinton told them, before taking a few selfies, signing some books and taking a picture with two young women for Snapchat. “I thought I’d bring you some unhealthy snacks!” | “I had to stop by and tell you how much I appreciate your hard work,” Clinton told them, before taking a few selfies, signing some books and taking a picture with two young women for Snapchat. “I thought I’d bring you some unhealthy snacks!” |
| Former Iowa senator Tom Harkin, a Clinton supporter, said in an interview Monday in Des Moines that the former secretary of state “has a tremendous organization, better than even Obama had.” | Former Iowa senator Tom Harkin, a Clinton supporter, said in an interview Monday in Des Moines that the former secretary of state “has a tremendous organization, better than even Obama had.” |
| “We have 1,681 precincts in Iowa, and Hillary has a precinct captain in each one. Obama only had about 1,200 of them covered,” he continued. “Yes, Sanders has a strong message and a strong persona, so the tide maybe went to him early on. But the tide has come back our way.” | “We have 1,681 precincts in Iowa, and Hillary has a precinct captain in each one. Obama only had about 1,200 of them covered,” he continued. “Yes, Sanders has a strong message and a strong persona, so the tide maybe went to him early on. But the tide has come back our way.” |
| While Democratic activists tend to flirt with the idea of picking a liberal firebrand as their nominee, Harkin said, they always settle for a more pragmatic candidate. | While Democratic activists tend to flirt with the idea of picking a liberal firebrand as their nominee, Harkin said, they always settle for a more pragmatic candidate. |
| “You remember 2004? People said they wanted to dance with Howard Dean and marry John Kerry,” he said. “That’s how it is this year. People wanted to dance with Bernie, have some fun, but it’s time to marry Hillary. It’s time to get behind her. When it comes down to it, they want their vote to count.” | “You remember 2004? People said they wanted to dance with Howard Dean and marry John Kerry,” he said. “That’s how it is this year. People wanted to dance with Bernie, have some fun, but it’s time to marry Hillary. It’s time to get behind her. When it comes down to it, they want their vote to count.” |
| [Here’s how the voting in Iowa works] | [Here’s how the voting in Iowa works] |
| Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) appears to be solidly in third place in the polls, though it remains to be seen how strong a finish he will have. He began the day by making a pitch to the supporters of long-shot candidates on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” | Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) appears to be solidly in third place in the polls, though it remains to be seen how strong a finish he will have. He began the day by making a pitch to the supporters of long-shot candidates on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” |
| “I hope people tonight, when they go to their caucus site, perhaps they are supporting someone that is not doing as well, they would consider caucusing for me because we can win,” he said, before heading off to three caucus sites in the Des Moines area. | “I hope people tonight, when they go to their caucus site, perhaps they are supporting someone that is not doing as well, they would consider caucusing for me because we can win,” he said, before heading off to three caucus sites in the Des Moines area. |
| Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, whose campaign has stalled but who is still drawing about 10 percent in Iowa polls, remained determined Monday to hold onto his devoted base here, which sees Carson as a unique spiritual and political leader who could calm what they see as a volatile culture. | Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, whose campaign has stalled but who is still drawing about 10 percent in Iowa polls, remained determined Monday to hold onto his devoted base here, which sees Carson as a unique spiritual and political leader who could calm what they see as a volatile culture. |
| Carson campaign chairman Robert F. Dees said Monday that turning out supporters of Israel was a prime target. “I went to Maccabee’s yesterday, and we had a huge crowd,” he said of Des Moines’ lone kosher deli. “I said, ‘You will know a tree by its fruit.’ Just look at the life of Ben Carson.” | Carson campaign chairman Robert F. Dees said Monday that turning out supporters of Israel was a prime target. “I went to Maccabee’s yesterday, and we had a huge crowd,” he said of Des Moines’ lone kosher deli. “I said, ‘You will know a tree by its fruit.’ Just look at the life of Ben Carson.” |
| Beyond the top three sits a crowded pack of Republican candidates who have failed to pick up much momentum in Iowa. They include former Florida governor Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina, and the last two Iowa caucus winners, former senator Rick Santorum (Pa.) and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee. Nonetheless, how well they do could determine how well Cruz and Rubio do, since all will attract some support that could bolster the two senators. | Beyond the top three sits a crowded pack of Republican candidates who have failed to pick up much momentum in Iowa. They include former Florida governor Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina, and the last two Iowa caucus winners, former senator Rick Santorum (Pa.) and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee. Nonetheless, how well they do could determine how well Cruz and Rubio do, since all will attract some support that could bolster the two senators. |
| Sensing that they stand virtually no chance of a strong showing, Kasich, Bush and Christie will spend caucus night in New Hampshire, the next state to vote and where their prospects are better. | Sensing that they stand virtually no chance of a strong showing, Kasich, Bush and Christie will spend caucus night in New Hampshire, the next state to vote and where their prospects are better. |
| Eilperin and Nakamura reported from Washington. Also contributing to this story: Sean Sullivan, Robert Costa, Katie Zezima, Philip Rucker and John Wagner in Des Moines, and Abby Phillip in Council Bluffs, Iowa. | Eilperin and Nakamura reported from Washington. Also contributing to this story: Sean Sullivan, Robert Costa, Katie Zezima, Philip Rucker and John Wagner in Des Moines, and Abby Phillip in Council Bluffs, Iowa. |