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USA

Iowa: campaigning goes to the wire

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By Euronews  with Reuters, AFP
Iowa: campaigning goes to the wire
  • Final pitches ahead of Iowa caucus
  • Trump ahead for Republicans
  • Clinton ahead for Democrats

The news

The potential candidates who will contest the US presidential election in November are making a final pitch in Iowa.

The first votes for party nominations are being held in the sparsely-populated Midwestern state on Monday.

The Republican Party

Republican Donald Trump has a narrow lead over rival Ted Cruz. Both are well ahead of the rest of the field.

“Canada is a problem for Ted Cruz,” Trump said, “he was born there and, like a lot of people are saying, he should not even be running for the election so we will find out about that.”

“To me, that is a big problem, because if you become the candidate, it is possible you cannot even run, according to a lot of people.”

Cruz is a senator from Texas and a conservative Tea Party favourite.

He has a strong appeal among Iowa’s religious community.

The Democrats

Hillary Clinton is nudging ahead of her rival, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for the Democrats, who have a much smaller field of three candidates compared to 11 for the Republicans.

“You are selecting not only the next president, but the next commander-in-chief.”

“I spend a lot of time in the Situation Room with
President Obama because if it is a problem that gets to the president, that means it has got to be decided by the president and the closest advisors.”

“I know how it is when a president faces those tought moments. And I feel ready and prepared to keep you safe, to keep our country strong.”

Polls put 76-year-old Sanders three points behind Clinton on 42 percent.

The process

The parties are currently choosing their respective candidates who will then go forward to stand in November’s presidential election.

It is said that victory in an initial state like Iowa can be key, as it sparks momentum for the rest of the campaign.

The candidates will be chosen by the summer, ahead of the election at the end of the year.

What they are saying

“If it is Trump-Hillary, it is going to be the largest voter turnout in the history of the United States.” – Donald Trump.

“He will be unbelievable, the best dealmaker, the best master negotiator.” – Melania Trump, wife of Donald.

“Join us, commit on Monday night to come out and caucus for us. Stand up and speak for us. If we stand together, we will win.”_ – Ted Cruz.

“What Cruz is doing is trying to maintain a level of professionalism and act like a statesman, not like some thug out of a New York City school.” – former boxer Mike Tyson.

“Stick with me, stick with a plan, stick with the experience, with the ideas that will actually work for the country.” – Hillary Clinton.

“My prediction is that if, tomorrow night, there is a large voter turnout, we will win. On the other hand, if there is a low voter turnout, we will probably lose.”_ – Bernie Sanders.