Trump’s Rivals Avoid Direct Criticism at Iowa Evangelical Gathering
In an attempt to gain support at a major gathering of evangelical Christians in Iowa, several of Donald Trump’s top rivals mostly refrained from directly criticizing him on abortion and other issues important to social conservatives. The Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual banquet, which is traditionally a significant event on the Republican primary calendar, was attended by over 1,000 pastors and activists. However, Trump chose not to attend, leaving the stage to candidates running far behind him.
The divide within the primary field regarding abortion was evident, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stating that restrictions on the procedure should be left to the states, a stance similar to Trump’s. On the other hand, former Vice President Mike Pence referred to Trump as his “former running mate” and criticized his opposition to a national abortion ban. Despite the predominantly anti-abortion audience, Pence’s call for a 15-week ban received lukewarm applause, reflecting concerns among some Republicans about Democrats gaining ground on abortion rights after the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade.
DeSantis, who has struggled to establish himself as the primary’s second choice behind Trump, declined to express support for a federal abortion ban and instead emphasized the role of states in addressing the issue. Trump has also recently refused to endorse a federal ban, arguing that it should be determined by individual states. The former president has cautioned top Republicans against championing abortion positions that are outside the political mainstream.
Pence, on the other hand, disagreed with Trump and called on all Republican presidential candidates to support a federal abortion ban, with a minimum threshold of 15 weeks of pregnancy. He stated that it is an idea whose time has come and that Republicans need to stand for the unborn across America.
A critique of Trump came from former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, who is known for being a frequent critic of the former president. Hutchinson mentioned another candidate, whom he respected but was not present at the event, and criticized Trump for trying to please both sides on abortion. Unlike other high-profile events, there were no boos from the audience in response to this comment or any other on Saturday. Ralph Reed, chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, had admonished the audience before the event to conduct themselves in a way that honors the candidates and Jesus Christ.
The event was attended by many devout and influential social conservatives who can play a decisive role in Iowa’s first-in-the-nation Republican caucuses in January. However, Trump’s rivals face a difficult task due to his substantial lead in the early GOP primary. Trump remains popular among evangelical Christians and social conservatives, particularly after his three Supreme Court picks voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The banquet was the last scheduled opportunity for a large group of Iowa evangelical conservatives to see the candidates side-by-side, as Trump had skipped similar events in April and June. The absence of Trump allowed other candidates to present their views to the audience.
In addition to discussions on abortion, some candidates also spoke about their personal faith. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who won the GOP’s 2016 caucuses with strong appeals to evangelical Republicans, was absent this time. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, when asked about reports of having a girlfriend, called her a “lovely Christian girl” and asked the crowd to pray for him. DeSantis discussed his Catholic beliefs and shared gratitude for the prayers he and his wife received during her battle with breast cancer.
The opinions of attendees varied, with some expressing support for Trump while acknowledging concerns about his ability to unify the Republican Party. Others believed it was time for new leadership, citing the events of January 6, 2021, when Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, as a turning point.
Overall, the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s banquet provided an opportunity for candidates to address evangelical Christians and social conservatives, but with Trump’s absence, it remains to be seen how this will impact the dynamics of the Republican primary race.
Original Story at abcnews.go.com – 2023-09-17 02:15:00