'Republicans for a day': How Dems and Independents 'are planning to crash' Iowa caucuses
14 January 2024
Former President Donald Trump, despite facing four indictments and 91 criminal charges, is expected to win the nomination during night one of Iowa caucuses Monday, January 15.
However, that expected outcome may be threatened, according to a Sunday Axios report, as Democratic and Independent voters "are planning to crash" Monday night's event by becoming "Republicans for a day" and rallying behind GOP hopeful Nikki Haley.
Per Axios, "Lyle Hansen, a Republican precinct captain for Haley in Cedar Rapids, acknowledges that 'there could be a good crossover' vote for Haley because Democrats 'get to come over and pick the candidate for [President Joe] Biden to oppose.'"
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With the goal "to diminish Trump's inevitability" Don McLeese of West Des Moines told the news outlet he plans to "be a crossover voter Monday." He said, "I'll hold my nose and caucus for Haley."
Axios notes, though, "Crossover voters are highly unlikely to help Haley catch Trump," who continues to dominate the polls, "But GOP strategist David Kochel said that if crossovers see Haley as the best Republican alternative to Trump, they could help her finish a solid second in Iowa, ahead of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis."
One downside to crossover voters, University of Iowa political scientist Tim Hagle told the news outlet, is that "People who switch parties to participate in a caucus sometimes don't switch back."
Chris LaCivita, who serves as Trump's senior adviser told Axios he's not worried.
"If that is something they are relying on to get through the night, then poor people, I feel bad for them," he said.
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Axios' full report is here.