Winter weather is whitening swathes of the state of Iowa ahead of the 2024 Presidential primary period. Prolonged freezing temperatures, along with high winds and unrelenting snowfall, could impact turnout in the first national Republican caucus, held in that state. In this event, voters determine candidates who are likely to receive political support and obtain their party’s nomination for the United States (US) Presidential Election.
The first step towards this presidential election has been held in Iowa since 1972.
However, after a number of weather forecasters stated that there was a gust of cold wind with a temperature of minus 43 degrees Celsius, this condition may be life-threatening for those carrying out their civil duties. This weather condition has given rise to calls for rescheduling the event which was scheduled for Monday.
The warning was conveyed, one of them by University of Iowa political expert, Professor Tim Hagle.
Snow falls on the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines, Iowa, January 9, 2024, as a winter snowstorm hits the state. (Photo: AP)
“This will be a difficult journey to undertake. So, it’s better to cancel the event. “It’s not because the candidates can’t come there, but more because we don’t want to endanger many people by having to drive in slippery and snowy conditions,” said Hagle.
This bad weather posed a threat to millions of Americans, and even led to the rescheduling of the National Football League (NFL) playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills. The home team, Buffalo Bills, uploaded the field situation on their social media page.
Meanwhile, the campaign of top Republican candidate former President Donald Trump canceled all but one in-person rally, opting instead to hold a remote rally with voters at one of the smaller campaign spots, according to ABC News. Iowa’s Des Moines Register reported that Trump had a 48 percent lead among Republican caucus hopefuls, so the bad weather probably wouldn’t impact him.
Meanwhile, Trump’s main challengers have a different story, such as former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who once helped Trump as ambassador to the United Nations. Haley currently has about 20 percent support, up four points since December, according to The Des Moines Register.
While initially thought to be a contender for nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues to decline in the polls, currently at 16 percent, according to local newspapers.
No other Republican candidate reached double-digit popularity, with biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy only approaching the 8 percent mark, again according to The Des Moines Register.
Over the long weekend, which coincides with a federal holiday marking the birthday of civil rights warrior Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, some Iowans said they were happy to be able to do something, whether related to politics or not.
This was conveyed by, among others, Des Moines resident Grant Rampton.
A woman walks through the snow in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday, January 13, 2024. (Photo: AP)
“There’s not much to do in the winter especially, but you can enjoy yourself, like here, sliding on the snow with your friends, or whatever. So, it’s an exciting time,” Rampton said.
Iowa’s top Republican told the Daily Mail that only a major national disaster would force Monday’s Iowa caucuses to be rescheduled. (ns/ab)