Welcome to the 2024 Elections | Interview: Ben Jacobs
Jan 8, 2024
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Political reporter Ben Jacobs examines the state of the Republican primary and explains different strategies to dethrone Trump. Topics include unfairness of caucuses, Iowa voter idiosyncrasies, role of ethanol subsidies, and efforts to stop Trump in New Hampshire.
Organization and persuasive skills are crucial for success in the Iowa caucuses.
Candidates who invest heavily in Iowa and exceed expectations can generate momentum and potentially perform well.
Deep dives
Overview of Iowa Caucuses
The podcast episode discusses the mechanics and processes of the Iowa caucuses, which are described as a party-run primary. It explains that for Republicans, it's similar to a firehouse primary where voters show up and cast a ballot, while Democrats had a more complicated process before the DNC intervened. The caucuses involve in-person voting at a specific time and place, with people delivering speeches on behalf of their chosen candidates. It emphasizes that organization and the ability to persuade voters play crucial roles in achieving success in the caucuses.
Strategies and Expectations in Iowa Caucuses
The episode explores different strategies employed by candidates to succeed in the Iowa caucuses. It mentions the significance of visiting all 99 counties in Iowa to appeal to voters and create a grassroots campaign. It also highlights the role of voter expectations, where candidates who invest heavily in Iowa and show strong effort can generate momentum and potentially exceed expectations. The episode notes that surprises could include a strong performance from a candidate like Ron DeSantis, who has faced challenges but still invested heavily in Iowa, or an unexpected outcome, such as Ryan Binkley performing well.
Dealing with Trump and Unseating Him
The podcast addresses the challenges of dealing with Donald Trump in the Republican primary. It acknowledges the delicate balance candidates must strike, with many attempting to embrace Trump without directly challenging him. However, the episode suggests that candidates who have gone all-in on opposing Trump and criticizing his behavior would have been more effective in countering his influence. It also suggests that the indictments and events surrounding January 6th have bolstered Trump's position, and that rerunning the primary with Trump active on Twitter could lead to different outcomes due to increased visibility and voter reaction.
Political reporter Ben Jacobs examines the state of the Republican primary and explains the different strategies that Donald Trump’s opponents have embraced in hopes of dethroning him. Also: