Republican Presidential Candidates Vie for Support at Iowa Faith and Freedom Banquet, Trump Absent
Ten Republican presidential candidates made their case to Iowa caucus voters at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition banquet, a crucial event ahead of the 2024 elections. However, one prominent figure was missing from the lineup: former President Donald Trump. Despite his absence, the candidates engaged in lively discussions and shared their perspectives on various issues, including military promotions, the House impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, and their faith.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took the opportunity to defend Senator Tommy Tuberville‘s hold on military promotions, highlighting a Defense Department policy that allows service members to take leave for an abortion outside of their state. DeSantis questioned the effectiveness of such a policy in protecting the country. On the other hand, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley opposed the policy but criticized Tuberville’s approach, stating that military men and women and their families should not be used as political pawns.
The House impeachment inquiry into President Biden was also a topic of discussion. Former Vice President Mike Pence expressed his full support for Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s decision to pursue the inquiry. In contrast, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, who served as a House impeachment manager during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial, stated that he had not seen enough evidence to support an impeachment inquiry.
The event provided an opportunity for journalists from PolitiFact to observe and interact with the candidates. They interviewed candidates like Pence and Hutchinson, who have been vocal critics of Trump and have struggled to gain traction in the polls. However, their attempts to interview Pence were cut short, with the campaign aide indicating that press time would be allotted later on.
The candidates also sat for 10-minute interviews with Faith and Freedom Coalition chairman Ralph Reed or Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Senator Tim Scott received a warm reception from the crowd. Other candidates who spoke during the event were Larry Elder, former U.S. Representative Will Hurd, businessman Perry Johnson, and businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley.
Some of the claims made by the candidates during the event were fact-checked by PolitiFact. For instance, DeSantis claimed to have delivered on 100% of his promises as governor, which was found to be untrue. Pence claimed that the country was experiencing the worst inflation in 40 years under President Biden, but this talking point was found to be outdated. Ramaswamy also faced fact-checking regarding his claim of growing up with no money.
The Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition banquet provided a platform for candidates to address issues of faith, abortion, and other important topics. Attendees expressed their views and priorities, with some focusing on how specific candidates have impacted their lives. While Trump’s absence was notable, the event showcased the diverse range of perspectives within the Republican Party and the candidates’ efforts to secure support ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
