Ben Carson backs Trump, biblical themes dominate Sioux City campaign.
Before former President Donald Trump took the stage, a familiar face appeared before the crowd at the Sioux City Orpheum. It was Dr. Ben Carson.
The softspoken brain surgeon endorsed President Trump to cheers and applause.
“They’re trying to throw God out of our country,” said Dr. Carson, who served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the Trump administration.
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Dr. Carson wasn’t the only speaker who invoked Biblical themes at the Oct. 29 “Commit to Caucus” event, the president’s latest event in the Hawkeye State as the Jan. 15 Iowa GOP caucus nears.
Faith could tip the scales here. In some recent Iowa GOP caucuses, candidates who cultivated a conservative, religious image—former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Penn.), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee—have won. Of course, all of that was before the Trump presidency scrambled many of the formulas for American politics.
Iowa State Sen. Lynn Evans, a Republican, began his remarks by quoting Ephesians 6:12: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities.”
“The only way we do this is with God’s help and God’s blessing,” said Matt Whitaker, who was acting attorney general during the Trump administration.
And in the middle of his own speech, President Trump drew attention to the day of the week.
Courting the Evangelical
Indeed, the former commander-in-chief seemed particularly relaxed at the Orpheum, an ornate space first built for vaudeville performances.
On the fringes of the real American West, in an old Orpheum circuit theater, President Trump balanced talk of war, peace, and the eternal with earthy, irreverent humor—a feat few can manage under the easiest circumstances, and even fewer while successfully courting the evangelical bloc that can make or break Republican candidates.
He criticized President Joe Biden’s foreign policy, focusing on what he described as an “inept withdrawal” from Afghanistan.
President Trump also riffed on the Biden administration’s plans for electrifying the military fleet.
“You obliterate something, but you do it in an environmentally friendly way,” he said, drawing laughter. He went on to argue that electric vehicles increase the United States’s reliance on China and still don’t stay charged long enough to be practical in many settings.
“Under the Trump administration, I kept America safe, I kept Israel safe, and I kept the world safe,” President Trump said before being drowned out by applause and chants of “USA!”
Speaking in the Upper Midwest, traditionally less pro-war than some other parts of the country, he leaned on a record of avoiding wars as president.
He also praised the leader of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, for keeping illegal immigrants out at a time when the United States and many other European countries face a flood of migrants and asylum seekers, many arriving illegally.
“I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate or a mask mandate,” President Trump vowed.
Yet for Mr. DeSantis’s backers, the former president’s record on vaccines, masks, and other facets of COVID-19 may still look like a vulnerability.
From the bowels of the Orpheum, an anonymous heckler posed a tough question for President Trump, who has maintained that the 2020 election was rigged against him. He asked how the president could stop cheating in the 2024 election in light of that past outcome.
The heckler was escorted to the door, and the show went on.
How has President Trump emphasized his commitment to religious freedom and the protection of Christian values during his presidency?
Political opponents and touted his administration’s accomplishments, including the creation of a strong economy and the appointment of conservative judges. But he also spoke about the importance of faith and religion in the United States, declaring that “we will never remove God from the public square.”
President Trump’s ability to connect with evangelical voters has been a key factor in his political success. Throughout his presidency, he consistently emphasized his commitment to religious freedom and the protection of Christian values. This resonated with many conservative Christians who felt that their beliefs were under attack in an increasingly secular society.
The support of evangelical voters is especially crucial in states like Iowa, where they make up a significant portion of the electorate. Previous Republican candidates who were able to court this demographic have found success in the Iowa caucuses. However, the political landscape has shifted since then, and President Trump is facing new challengers who are also vying for the support of evangelical voters.
With former Vice President Mike Pence no longer in the race, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley have stepped up their efforts to appeal to evangelical voters. Both candidates have positioned themselves as strong supporters of Israel, an issue that resonates with many conservative Christians. President Trump cannot afford to underestimate the competition and must continue to work hard to maintain his strong connection with evangelical voters.
The event at the Sioux City Orpheum highlighted the importance of faith and spirituality in American politics. Dr. Ben Carson, a renowned brain surgeon and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, endorsed President Trump and spoke about the need to protect religious freedom. Other speakers, including Iowa State Senator Lynn Evans and Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, also emphasized the role of faith in their remarks.
President Trump himself drew attention to the significance of the day, declaring that because it was Sunday, they could go a little longer. This lighthearted remark showcased his ability to connect with his audience and find common ground through shared values and experiences.
In conclusion, the Commit to Caucus event in Iowa showcased President Trump’s ability to connect with evangelical voters and emphasize the importance of faith in American politics. While he faces new competition from other candidates, he cannot afford to rest on his laurels and must continue to work hard to maintain his strong support from evangelical voters. The outcome of the Iowa caucus will serve as an important indicator of the level of support he still commands within this demographic.
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