Democrats resume Iowa billboard campaign ahead of GOP caucuses
The Democratic National Committee is launching another billboard campaign across Iowa, attacking Republican presidential candidates for what it’s calling “extreme” policy positions as they barnstorm the state ahead of the Jan. 15 caucuses.
The billboards target former President Trump, Haley and DeSantis, who polling suggests are the top three contenders in the state. Messages on the billboards accuse the three candidates of supporting an “extreme MAGA agenda,” including national abortion bans, cuts to Social Security and Medicare and tax breaks for the wealthy.
“No matter who emerges from the flurry of chaos that has been the 2024 Republican primary, every single one of these MAGA extremists is running on a deeply unpopular agenda that would make any of them low-temp losers in the general election,” said DNC national press secretary Sarafina Chitika.
At least two of the billboards will specifically focus on Trump, seizing on his recent remark predicting the U.S. economy will crash and hoping it occurs “during this next 12 months.”
“Donald Trump said he ‘hopes’ the economy crashes,” one billboard reads. “Millions of jobs lost, retirement savings wiped out, businesses shuttered.”
The billboards are posted in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Dubuque, Davenport and Des Moines — all locations where the Republican candidates have announced events in the run-up to the caucuses. The advertisements will remain active until Jan. 16, the day after the election.
Haley and DeSantis super PACs, Trump campaign lead late Iowa advertising
Haley's super PAC, SFA Fund Inc., is set to spend the most money on TV ads in Iowa over the next three days, while Trump is spending the most of any candidate's campaign, according to AdImpact.
And DeSantis' two super PACs on the air, Fight Right and Good Fight, are spending more combined than Haley's group, though DeSantis' campaign itself is spending little. Because campaigns are guaranteed a lower advertising rate than outside groups, it is more efficient for campaigns to spend on TV, even though super PACs can raise more money from individual donors.
Caucusgoer intensity — and how excited they are to turn out amid severe winter weather — could play an important role in Monday's contest.
Haley hits Biden foreign policy, predicts strong Iowa showing
Haley appeared on Sean Hannity's Fox News program late Friday to hit President Joe Biden's handling of foreign policy.
"It is a constant topic of conversation that comes up with voters here in Iowa," Haley said. "We’ve also seen it New Hampshire, people are worried, they see those wars and they’re worried about what this means. We should always be focused on national security and prevention of war. That’s what Joe Biden’s missed."
Asked how she expects Monday's caucuses to go, Haley said, "It’s really cold, but we’re going to have a strong showing."