U.S. election: Haley and DeSantis battle for second place in Republican contest in Iowa

In the race for the Republican presidential nomination, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis delivered their final arguments in Iowa on Tuesday, aiming to position themselves as a distinct alternative to frontrunner Donald Trump.

Earlier in the day, Haley took the stage in Waukee, a suburb of Des Moines, addressing approximately 100 attendees who navigated snow-covered roads to attend her rally at an Irish pub. Trump was occupied in court proceedings, while DeSantis, the Florida governor, fulfilled his duties in his home state.

During her speech, Haley primarily focused on criticizing Trump, while DeSantis, participating in a Fox News town hall in Iowa later that evening, directed most of his comments towards Haley.

With the Iowa caucuses approaching on Jan. 15, DeSantis is aiming for a crucial second-place finish, particularly given Haley's lead in New Hampshire polls, where the Republican nomination contest follows on Jan. 23. Responding to Haley's recent remark suggesting that New Hampshire voters would "correct" Iowa's result, DeSantis condemned it as "wrong" and "deeply offensive."

Haley, gaining ground on Trump in New Hampshire, emphasized Trump's legal challenges during her speech, capitalizing on his absence due to a court hearing in Washington. Some attendees, like Valerie Bantz, agreed with Haley's criticisms, describing Trump as a "walking dumpster fire."

Bill Kirk, a retired carpenter and former Trump supporter, attended the rally hoping for a resolution to border issues. Kirk, who voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, admitted being tired of the drama and Trump's communication style.

Meanwhile, Trump, the frontrunner in Iowa and the overall nomination attended a court hearing where his legal team argued for his immunity from federal charges related to overturning the 2020 election.

Starting his day in Florida, DeSantis echoed Haley's concerns about Trump's legal problems during the Fox News appearance, predicting that if Trump becomes the nominee, the election will revolve around legal issues and the events of January 6.

Recent polls in New Hampshire indicate Haley narrowing Trump's lead, with one showing a seven-point difference, down from a 22-point lead in November. In Iowa, some voters, like Democrat Alan Koslow, plan to switch party affiliation to Republican to vote for Haley as a strategic move against Trump.

Haley's campaign received an unconventional endorsement from TV's "Judge Judy" (Judge Judith Sheindlin), who called Haley "whip-smart" and expressed belief in her ability to restore America, hoping for a better outcome than her previous endorsement of Michael Bloomberg in 2020.

अमेरिकी चुनाव: आयोवा में रिपब्लिकन प्रतियोगिता में दूसरे स्थान के लिए हेली और डेसेंटिस के बीच लड़ाई