WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Donald Trump’s presence is drawing unprecedented attention to the Republican presidential contest. But after careful consideration, many new Iowa voters turned to his rivals instead.
The political newcomer logged a second-place finish in Iowa’s kick-off caucuses, performing far better than anyone could have imagined just seven months ago when he jumped into the race. The Manhattan developer managed to pull in more than 45,000 votes, far more than 2012 caucus winner Rick Santorum, who many view as being more compatible with the state’s conservative electorate.
But Trump’s own decision to escalate expectation, coupled by an outmaneuvered ground game, set his supporters up for disappointment.
“We’re going to have a tremendous victory,” Trump told voters at his final rally in Cedar Rapids before voting began.
“A lot of the news commentators…. they say, ‘Wouldn’t you better off if you just said we want to do well in Iowa?'” he said. “And I said, ‘Not really. I mean, I want to be truthful. I’m a truthful person. I want to win Iowa, I don’t want to do well. I want to win.'”