Five Biggest Questions of the GOP Debate in Iowa
With the next Republican debate hitting the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa, there’s a few lingering questions on everyone’s mind. We are only a few days out until the first in the nation caucus officially begins, so this will be the last opportunity for Iowans to see all the candidates on one stage before then. Therefore, this debate may very well be the deciding factor in who gets the all-important win in Iowa. These are five of the biggest questions heading into it.
- Trump: Will He Attend?
Donald Trump’s conflict with Fox News isn’t really anything new. After believing himself to be attacked by news pundit Megyn Kelly, the current Republican frontrunner went off on a Twitter tirade. Flash forward a few months and Fox News is hosting yet another debate. Due to the poor relationship between Trump and Megyn Kelly, he has stated that he will be sitting out this debate. While he has attempted this move at previous debates, this time he seems to be serious about his comments. Will Fox News ultimately bend to the Donald’s whims, or will they go on without the man who will “make American great again.”
2. Cruz: Change of Opinion on Ethanol Mandate?
Ethanol is a big industry in Iowa. It’s almost vital that a presidential candidate supports the Big Corn industry in order to win the state. A huge minefield has opened up in Iowa regarding allowing the Renewable Fuel Standard’s ethanol mandate to expire in 2022. Senator Ted Cruz has expressed support for phasing out the mandate, as he believes the ethanol industry can very well survive such a plan. Activist groups have hounded him at every campaign stop and even Governor Terry Branstad has attacked the senator on his stance. Therefore, it would not be a surprise to see him have to defend his position on stage at the debate. He has yet to buckle from these attacks, but this is a much bigger stage and many Iowans who rely on ethanol will be watching.
3. Rubio and Bush: Will the Harsh Words Continue?
The battle to be the establishment candidate appears to be a very one-sided affair at this point. With Governor Jeb Bush polling lower and lower after each debate, Senator Marco Rubio seems primed to take the spot coveted by both men. Yet, Jeb hasn’t given up on the fight. Right to Rise, the PAC currently supporting him, has been unrelenting in their attacks on the senator by releasing a multitude of advertisements. Heading into this next debate, Jeb will likely once again try to punch up at Rubio and try to vault himself over the former ally. Though Jeb has failed to really put any dents into his armor, this will be the former governor’s best chance to do so before the caucus.
4. Paul: Response to Main Stage Return?
At the last debate, there was a familiar face missing: Rand Paul. The senator missed the main debate due to falling poll numbers and refused to attend the mid-card debate. Due to his absence, a chant of “We want Rand” broke out among the Charleston crowd. After this brief absence, Rand is returning once again to try and win over the crowd in Iowa. He has been touting his grassroots campaign in Iowa and believes that, despite his low poll numbers, can easily take the state. He will need to make his presence known early and often in order for him to even help out his cause. With Trump potentially off the stage, it could be Rand’s best chance to make one final push.
5. Carson: Update to Foreign Policy?
Once upon a time, Carson led Iowa. That’s right. He was in front of Trump and Cruz. Thanks to his lack of any knowledge in foreign policy, he ultimately plummeted to fourth. At recent campaign stops, he has been unveiling bits and pieces of what seems like a foreign policy plan. The debate will likely be his best opportunity to win over the voters that he had once lost. Although Cruz likely has the evangelical vote, Carson could have a last minute charge and find himself in the top three spots. This will look good heading into future primaries, but he actually needs to unveil those plans first.
