Donald Trump may have an evangelical problem in Iowa, a focus group finds

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If there was one glimmer of hope for Ron DeSantis and the rest of the Republican field hoping to defeat Donald Trump, it was in a focus group of evangelical voters in Iowa on Thursday night.

Trump, most of the group argued, had done positive things during his presidency and they agreed with him on many points. But, except for a few contestants, they were not happy with his reinstatement: Some said it was time to make way for a new face, while others cited his drama, his baggage, and his need to please people as reasons they consider. other options. One voter said he should apologize for Operation Warp Speed.

The biggest difference between DeSantis and Trump for me is that DeSantis drove the boat, one participant explained. Trump looks where the wind is blowing, and drives in that direction. Whether this is the right direction or not.

The event, which featured eighteen voters, was hosted by pollster and communications strategist Frank Luntz. It came on the eve of Friday’s social conservative cattle call for 2024 candidates put on by The Family Leader in Des Moines, which Trump did not attend.

Interestingly, fifteen of the focus group participants said they agreed with Trump stealing the 2020 election. But that didn’t stop them from worrying about 2024: One woman wanted to know how she could make sure she didn’t that the same thing will happen again. Many doubted his ability to win over independents who supported Joe Biden last time.

Do you know someone who now supports Trump who didn’t support him before? asked a man. He’s just losing voters.

One 2020 Trump voter said she wasn’t sure she would support him again in a general election, even though he has expressed conservative views on abortion.

Trump’s rivals have been running ads, holding town halls and mailings to build their respective profiles among Iowa voters in the early months of the campaign. They seem to be getting results, with participants showing interest in their biographies and eager to hear more.

Tim Scott was mentioned several times as the politician that the participants considered the most real (along with Trump), although there was a noticeable lack of knowledge about what he did as a senator.

Tim Scott has an amazing story and is really compelling for me, someone said. Thats not gonna make my decision for me but it makes me look into him a lot more than I would have without knowing his story.

Some contestants also liked DeSantis, citing his focus on policy issues and military service, though one thought he was too slick and another called him a career politician. Vivek Ramaswamy received some of the most widespread praise within the group, with one voter describing him as a young, anti-woke candidate with a willingness to be bold.

He is not a career politician, another person said. He has some really, I think, smart ideas. he is hungry His parents were immigrants.

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