As many of you already know, Ted Cruz was the winner of the Iowa Republican Caucus with Donald Trump taking second place and Marco Rubio coming in third. As a result of a poor showing, Mike Huckabee has decided to end his campaign following the Iowa results. I also want to apologize for the website issues last night, our server could not handle the traffic increase and buckled under the pressure. We are working on getting that fixed up for next time.
Report from USAToday:
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz defeated Donald Trump in the Iowa caucuses on Monday, a come-from-behind victory that raises questions about the billionaire’s ability to translate his support in political polls into actual votes.
“God bless the great state of Iowa,” Cruz told cheering supporters in Des Moines.
Hailing his grass-roots organization for helping generate a record turnout for the Republican caucuses, Cruz said that “tonight is a victory for courageous conservatives across Iowa and all across this great nation.”
The win also proves that the “Washington establishment,” the lobbyists, and the media will not be picking the Republican nominee, he added, but the American people will.
Trump, who like Cruz waged an anti-establishment battle in Iowa, congratulated the victor but told downcast supporters than he still plans to win the Republican nomination and the presidency. While expressing his love for the Hawkeye State — “I might come here and buy a farm” — Trump also pointed to upcoming Republican primaries in New Hampshire (Feb. 9) and South Carolina (Feb. 20).
“On to New Hampshire,” the businessman said.
Trump barely held off Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who was poised to finish a strong third and declared that his showing makes him a major competitor for the Republican nomination.
“This is no ordinary election,” Rubio told supporters, calling the result an important step to “winning this election.”
Rubio also saluted former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, the 2008 Iowa caucus winner who announced he was suspending his campaign after a poor finish on Monday.
Ted Cruz was rumored to have the most aggressive and complete ground game in Iowa. I think it’s safe to say that must have been the truth. Donald Trump fell short of polling expectations and Marco Rubio drastically over-performed based on prior polling. Perhaps a major lesson to take away from this is how the polls were used to manipulate the debates and yet look at how badly they turned out in Iowa. Some campaigns may have missed a primetime debate slot by one percent, it’s hard not to question that methodology in seeing just how badly the polling was leading up to Iowa.
Ted Cruz victory speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCAkw3fgZeo
Donald Trump speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIduq78VgNw
Marco Rubio speech:
Mike Huckabee has decided to call it quits, report from CNN:
Mike Huckabee is dropping his presidential campaign after a weak showing in the Iowa caucuses that he had won eight years earlier.
“I am officially suspending my campaign,” the former Arkansas governor tweeted Monday night. “Thank you for all your loyal support. #ImWithHucK”
Huckabee’s decision to suspend the campaign was not planned, but after seeing the results he decided it was best to step out of the race.
“He is going to continue to push for the issues he believes, but right now this is about thanking his staff and supporters and being with his friends and families and see what doors will open next,” said Hogan Gidley, Huckabee’s spokesman.
There is a question of his endorsement which might be going to Donald Trump.
