Tom Dempsey: Day 3 and Day 4: Des Moines, Iowa -
The last push by candidates before the Iowa caucuses has been exciting…and very busy!
We traveled to Des Moines on Sunday. Right from the start of getting there, I could feel the excitement in the air. It was crazy to see the media presence in the city. I found TV satellite trucks on almost every block near the Iowa State Capitol.
We're on the road for the #IowaCaucus! Heading to Des Moines to cover @BernieSanders & @HillaryClinton!#Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/DT4Baz4qpF
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 31, 2016
We met up with two volunteers from the Kansas City area for the Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton campaigns in the morning. Rachel Gonzalez from Independence, Missouri, and Sarah Lacey Parrish from Merriam, Kansas, have traveled up here to Iowa for weeks to help out their respective campaigns. It was fun seeing all the teamwork of volunteers that goes into a campaign. The effort, hard work, and dedication were easy to see.
Rachel Gonzalez from Independence is volunteering for @HillaryClinton. 7 weekends in a row in Iowa. #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/fUPlPMLeuf
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 31, 2016
Group of @BernieSanders volunteers from @KCMO area. A busy day today...one day out from #IowaCaucus. #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/oaNdmryvX1
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 31, 2016
Our first event of the day was a Bernie Sanders rally at Grand View University. Boy, his supporters are passionate. I saw lots of college-aged supporters there. The gymnasium where the rally was held was packed with people. Up to this point, this event had the biggest media presence of any event I have attended for the caucuses. The venue probably could have been three times the size to properly accommodate all of the people.
Packed house at Grand View U for @BernieSanders rally. #IowaCaucus #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/qqviJKOsYN
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) February 1, 2016
Iowa Caucus Monday came and went like a flash.
I woke up early on Monday morning to attend a Rick Santorum media event. He toured Des Moines Christian School and met with reporters afterwards.
Awaiting arrival of @RickSantorum. @41ActionNews front and center. #IowaCaucus #decision2016 pic.twitter.com/9SFefKzycI
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) February 1, 2016
Santorum won here four years ago, but this year, he is far behind in the polls. Santorum said he blamed himself for the low poll numbers. He was joined by several of his children and his wife, and he said he had too many other duties to attend to while also running for president.
Seeing the Iowa caucuses up close and personal, I have seen how grinding campaigning is. Every day, the candidates are giving speeches to large crowds, traveling from site to site, and dealing with pressures from family, staff, and the media.
I can only imagine how tough it is when you try to balance being a father with all of that, like Santorum said.
"Political tourists" as they call themselves. Checking out events today. @RickSantorum event first. #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/VZyLSgCJg3
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) February 1, 2016
Next, we headed to a Jeb Bush rally at a hotel in Des Moines. There was a small crowd at the event, but lots of passion amongst supporters. The event made me curious to see how Bush would do in the caucuses on Monday night.
Getting set for @JebBush rally in Des Moines. #decision2016 #iowacaucus pic.twitter.com/hGjtqnZ5UG
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) February 1, 2016
Caucus night brought us back to the Donald Trump campaign. We attended a caucus watch party at the Sheraton in West Des Moines.
Stage set @realDonaldTrump rally in W Des Moines. Will it be a *victory* rally? Time will tell. #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/E6fNAbU0YW
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) February 2, 2016
There were so many reporters here, some from international outlets. This finished ahead of the Bernie Sanders rally in Des Moines for having the biggest media presence I saw at an event.
4 days of #IowaCaucus coverage. This is the biggest media presence I've seen. @realDonaldTrump rally. #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/QduIid1DoT
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) February 2, 2016
His supporters, often rowdy and confident, had a much different feel to them tonight. The room we were all in for the party was quiet for much of the night, especially once results started coming in showing a victory for Senator Ted Cruz.
Crowds coming in for W Des Moines @realDonaldTrump rally. Supporters watching results closely. #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/dThjTQaqhL
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) February 2, 2016
It was a surprising result to say the least. After attending two Trump rallies this past weekend, it is easy to see all the support Trump has. I think the race between Trump, Cruz, and Senator Marco Rubio is far from over.
It was an exciting experience covering the 2016 Iowa Caucuses.
I very much enjoyed my first trip to Iowa. It is a pretty state, filled with many kind people. I especially enjoyed Dubuque. I would love to come back and see more of the state someday…. and eat more pork tenderloin sandwiches!
#WhenInIowa have a pork tenderloin sandwich. #Decision2016 #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/1oU7DpF58x
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 31, 2016
Tom Dempsey Day 2: Donald Trump Campaign -
The second day of coverage on the Iowa caucuses brought to two places to cover the Donald Trump campaign.
On the road in Iowa! Focus today: @realDonaldTrump campaign. Stops in Dubuque & Davenport. #IowaCaucus #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/XueEdCtBk2
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 30, 2016
Our first stop was in Dubuque. I thought it was a very pretty city. I wish I had more time to look around.
Officially in @DubuqueIow for @realDonaldTrump rally at 1 pm. #IowaCaucus #Decision2016 @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/eWjva0nRjo
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 30, 2016
Trump held a rally at Dubuque Regional Airport around 1:30pm. Lots of people were on hand. I counted at least several hundred people there. A line stretched across a parking lot to get into the event when we got there. Lots of pins, shirts, and hats were for sale. As one supporter told me, it felt like we were getting set for a rock concert.
It's already crowded in Dubuque for @realDonaldTrump rally at 1 pm. #IowaCaucus #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/7P2dG4Qwtg
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 30, 2016
I noticed a big mix of people at the event. There were young and old, men and women.
Excitement in Dubuque for @realDonaldTrump rally. Long lines, lots of signs like this one. #IowaCaucus #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/LkpYAkGf05
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 30, 2016
The crowd cheered loudly when Trump’s plane arrived, and were even louder when he got off the plane to greet everyone. He gave a passionate speech and touched up on his campaign’s key points. Close to a dozen Trump supporters I spoke to all said immigration and the economy were the top two issues on their minds for the Iowa caucuses.
"We have the chance to do something historic." - @realDonaldTrump #IowaCaucus #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/TvZijgL5zS
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 30, 2016
At one point, Trump invited the young children in the crowd to tour his plane. A small group of protestors were thrown out during the rally. I couldn’t hear what they were saying or whom they were with.
A few hours later, we traveled to Davenport for Mr. Trump’s event at the Adler Theatre.
Once again, there was a large crowd. A line stretched around the block two hours before the event was scheduled to begin.
Crowd for @realDonaldTrump. Rally in Davenport at 6:30 pm. #IowaCaucus #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/RZDH1tUeBI
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 30, 2016
Trump sat down with Jerry Falwell Jr., the son of the famous Evangelical leader, to be interviewed in front of his supporters.
Jerry Falwell Jr. speaking in Davenport at @realDonaldTrump rally. #IowaCaucus #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/SCDafE0kYi
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 31, 2016
This event had a much different tone than the one in Dubuque. Trump spoke much quieter here, and really played up religious aspects. He clearly is courting Evangelicals for Iowa and beyond.
Biggest applause of the night came when Trump talked about immigration and said his signature line, “We have to build a wall.”
Biggest applause so far after @realDonaldTrump says, "We're going to build a wall" #IowaCaucus #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/bcxxhfXn2W
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 31, 2016
Both events had big turnouts. It’s easy to see that Trump’s supporters are excited for the presidential race, and are fed up with Washington D.C.
Trump is winning in the GOP Iowa caucus polls.
We’ll see what happens on Monday.
Christa Dubill Day 2 - The candidates started early, many by 8:00 or 9:00 a.m., so we did, too.
Except we met up with regular folks who either already know who they are supporting and why, or they are still waiting to hear something to sway them.
We went to Drake's Diner, a long-time eatery near the Drake University campus in Des Moines. It was packed, with a wait for people to get in. Hard to say for sure it leans left, but the people we spoke with were all either for "Hillary" because she "has experience", or for "Bernie" because he wants to "shake up Washington".
Heather (our waitress)works 2 jobs. 4 kids (14,13,13,12).must be older than she looks. I didn't ask. She's undecided pic.twitter.com/WpDNNF7GyP
— Christa Dubill (@christadubill) January 30, 2016
One guy, a 70-year-old man wearing an auto-racing jacket, told me he wants to write in "none of the above" because no one is addressing basic needs of Americans. He mentioned the people who are starving in the country.
This is Stan.70 yrs old(he offered that up ??).doesn't trust politicians.Economy is top issue for him #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/FiMxLygYT0
— Christa Dubill (@christadubill) January 30, 2016
We continue to talk to voters and follow the candidates as they speckle the state ahead of Monday night's caucus.
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Tom Dempsey Day 1 - It is very cool to be here in Iowa covering the caucuses for 41 Action News! Today I was in Wilton, a small city about 35 minutes southwest of Davenport.
1st stop on @41ActionNews #IowaCaucus tour: Wilton, Iowa. @tedcruz town hall at 5:45pm. #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/HxotcqD1DA
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 29, 2016
It took us a while to get here! It’s about a six-hour ride from Kansas City to Wilton. We passed lots of cornfields on the way. I personally thought it was very pretty.
Road trip in Iowa continues. Heading to @wiltoniowa for @tedcruz town hall this evening. #IowaCaucus #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/21NkN6dGkR
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 29, 2016
Senator Ted Cruz from Texas was here for a town hall this evening at the community center in town. It is a nice facility. Staff members were very helpful. They let us use one of the classrooms to edit our evening stories. Two people were already waiting in line for Cruz three hours before the event.
Waiting for the crowds in Wilton, Iowa ahead of the @tedcruz town hall here at 5:45pm. #IowaCaucus #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/np19ihoGIB
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 29, 2016
Crowds were obviously enthusiastic to see Cruz. It will be interesting to see how he does. He is seven percentage points behind Trump in the latest NBC News poll of likely GOP Iowa Caucus voters.
Cruz was clearly trying to get the crowd amped up before Monday, and convince any undecided voters.
Biggest applause for Ted Cruz coming as he hits points on #ACA, immigration, and common core education pic.twitter.com/sDIKL1yvrq
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 30, 2016
The attacks on President Obama and Hilary Clinton were plentiful.
He touched up on several key points of his campaign, including immigration, the war against Isis, and Common Core education.
Biggest applause of the night came when he announced he would “tear up every word” of the Affordable Care Act if he is elected president.
It caught my ear when an attendee asked Mr. Cruz about a possible vice presidential nominee down the line. At first, Cruz said it was too early to name a running mate, but he hinted it may be one of his fellow GOP competitors for president.
Cruz also touched up on how he is anti-establishment.
Many laughs in the crowd when he said, “If you see a candidate with lots of support from Washington, D.C., stop and run the other way!”
"If you see a candidate supported by Washington, D.C.....stop and run the other way." - @tedcruz #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/5GKOD5HIc5
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 30, 2016
He also joked, when asked who he would name to the Supreme Court if elected president, “It won’t be Barack Obama.”
I spoke with several town hall attendees shortly after the event concluded. Many of the people seemed pleased with Cruz, lots of enthusiasm. They are ready to vote.
Next stop is Davenport on Saturday.
We will be attending two rallies for Donald Trump. Stay tuned for updates.