Trump’s vow to win a second term dedicated to “retribution” against his enemies, his labeling of

political opponents as “vermin” and his warnings that immigrants are “poisoning the blood” of
America, which are reminiscent of 1930s dictators, were no disqualification in Iowa. Instead, the
president who attempted to overturn democracy to stay in power used democracy far more
effectively than any of his Republican opponents to win an electoral endorsement from GOP
voters who want him back in the White House.

DeSantis and Haley fail to emerge as the single anti-Trump

candidate
Monday’s result posed huge questions for Trump’s rivals. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed
second place, narrowly ahead of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. It is a showing that
doesn’t offer DeSantis much hope of capturing the nomination, but may at least give him a
rationale for staying in the race.

Haley came third but she is most focused on next week’s New Hampshire primary, where
independent, undeclared voters and moderate Republicans offer her best chance to score an early
win over Trump. But the electoral map of Iowa also illustrates the daunting task she faces in
creating a path to the GOP nomination. In rural areas, where most Republicans live, she made
little impression.