Iowa romp leaves narrow paths forward
The DeSantis-Haley muddle was the best scenario for Donald.
Donald Trump’s resounding victory in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses Monday night amounted to a crushing blow to Ron DeSantis and iced the momentum of Nikki Haley.
The former president’s 30-point rout underscored his enduring popularity among Republican voters but also exposed the weakness of his rivals, both who vowed to continue their campaigns, ostensibly dividing the anti-Trump vote.
DeSantis won the race for second place in Iowa — but only barely — and his campaign hasn’t presented any evidence of a nominating state the Florida governor can win, calling into question the long-term viability of his candidacy.
“Clearing 20 and just getting second place, I think it’s really tough,” said Liam Donovan, a Republican consultant on a livestream hosted by Mark Halperin. “They’re going to have trouble to keep going at this point. They’re going to be calls to jump out.”
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