Republican 2024 hopefuls will likely flock to Iowa social conservative summit
Four Republican Presidential Candidates Set to Address Social Conservatives at Prominent Event
Get ready for an exciting event on November 17th, where four potential Republican presidential candidates will be speaking directly to social conservatives. The lineup includes Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina. However, the big question remains: will former President Donald Trump make an appearance?
The FAMiLY Leader Foundation’s 2023 presidential Thanksgiving forum is the perfect opportunity for these GOP hopefuls to showcase their commitment to social conservatism, just a couple of months before the Iowa caucuses kick off on January 15th. Social conservatives have always played a crucial role in the Iowa caucuses since the late 1970s.
Importance of the Iowa Caucuses
While the 2024 Iowa caucuses may not hold much significance for Democrats, as they have moved it to a less prominent spot on their nominating calendar, it is a different story for Republicans. President Joe Biden faces minimal opposition from within his own party, with only Representative Dean Phillips and self-help guru Marianne Williamson as token challengers. Therefore, the Republican side is where all the action is.
The Thanksgiving FAMiLY Forum will take place at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, located at 700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309, starting at 3 p.m. Central time. The final list of speakers is still being finalized, but it seems unlikely that Trump will be among them. The former president has been selective about his campaign appearances in the 2024 cycle, and it’s no wonder why. Recent polls consistently show him with a significant lead of 25 points or more over his closest “rivals,” usually DeSantis or Haley.
Nevertheless, the event organizers are emphasizing the importance of Republican candidates participating in the forum.
“Truly, this is a one-of-a-kind event,” said FAMiLY Leader Foundation President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats. ”The Thanksgiving FAMiLY Forum gives us a chance to see what’s in the candidates’ hearts, not just what’s in their plans. And coming shortly before the holiday season, it may be the last, best chance to really understand what makes these leaders tick before Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses.”
This is not the first time the FAMiLY Leader Foundation has organized such a forum. Similar events were held in 2011 and 2015, both preceding the Iowa caucuses of those respective years. The 2015 forum was particularly significant, as it marked the rise of Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for the 2016 presidential election.
However, this time around, Vander Plaats doesn’t seem too enthusiastic about the prospect of Trump becoming the 2024 Republican standard-bearer. He has shown support for Governor Ron DeSantis, even receiving an endorsement from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. Vander Plaats posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, praising Reynolds and expressing confidence in DeSantis as a strong candidate.
Vander Plaats also seems to doubt that Trump has a lock on the GOP nomination fight. He points to Trump’s wavering stance on abortion, especially after several state ballot initiatives went against his anti-abortion position. Vander Plaats believes that Iowa is wide open, and many Iowans will realize that Trump does not align with them on core issues, particularly the issue of life.
Furthermore, Vander Plaats does not view Trump as a strong nominee for the general election in 2024. He highlights the presence of independent candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories, and far-left academic Cornel West. Vander Plaats suggests that Trump’s divisive approach would only lead to a deeply divided Republican Party, making it nearly impossible to win the White House.
Local Events for Republican Presidential Hopefuls
As the Iowa caucuses draw closer, local events in Iowa and Nevada are becoming increasingly important for the 2024 Republican presidential hopefuls. These events provide opportunities for candidates to connect with local and regional Republican activists, as well as potential donors.
Here are some upcoming events:
Wednesday, Nov. 15
- Republican Women of Las Vegas Meeting
Lawry’s Prime Rib
4043 Howard Hughes Pkwy.
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89169
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Pacific time - Washoe Republican Women Meeting
Rattlesnake Club
606 W. Plumb Lane
Reno, Nevada, 89509
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Pacific time - Active Republican Women — Las Vegas
Red Rock Country Club
2250 Red Springs Dr.
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89135
5:30-8 p.m. Pacific time
Thursday, Nov. 16
- Iowa GOP — Council Bluffs Regional Reception with Vivek Ramaswamy
Hilton Garden Inn Omaha East/Council Bluffs
2702 Mid America Dr.
Council Bluffs, Iowa, 51501
5-6 p.m. Central time - Union County GOP — Central Committee Meeting
119 N Walnut St.
Creston, Iowa, 50801
6-7 p.m. Central time - Emmet County GOP — Central Committee Meeting
421 1st Ave N.
Estherville, Iowa, 51334
6:30-7:30 p.m. Central time - Black Hawk County GOP — Central Committee Meeting
3420 University Ave.
Waterloo, Iowa, 50701
7-8 p.m. Central time - Sac County GOP — Central Committee Meeting
101 E 1st St.
Schaller, Iowa, 51053
7-8 p.m. Central time - Boulder City Republican Women Monthly Meeting
The Patio at Chilly Jilly’z
1680 Boulder City Pkwy.
Boulder City, Nevada, 89005
10:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Pacific time
These events offer excellent opportunities for candidate sightings and interactions with local Republican activists and potential donors. It’s a crucial time for the 2024 GOP presidential hopefuls to make their mark.
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Will former President Donald Trump participate in the Thanksgiving FAMiLY Forum, and how might his presence or absence impact the Republican candidates’ chances of gaining support from social conservatives
Unities for candidates to connect with voters and share their platforms. They also offer a chance for voters to assess the candidates and make informed decisions before casting their votes.
One such event is the Thanksgiving FAMiLY Forum organized by the FAMiLY Leader Foundation. Taking place on November 17th at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown in Des Moines, Iowa, this forum aims to give Republican candidates a platform to address social conservatives directly. With the Iowa caucuses scheduled for January 15th, this event offers a critical opportunity for GOP hopefuls to showcase their commitment to social conservatism.
The lineup of speakers for the event includes Governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina. These candidates will likely use the forum to outline their positions on relevant issues and present themselves as viable options for social conservatives.
However, the question on everyone’s minds is whether former President Donald Trump will make an appearance. While Trump has been selective about his campaign appearances, recent polls consistently show him with a significant lead over his closest competitors, usually DeSantis or Haley. Despite this, it seems unlikely that he will be among the speakers at the forum.
Nevertheless, event organizers stress the importance of Republican candidates participating in this forum. FAMiLY Leader Foundation President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats emphasizes the unique opportunity the event provides to understand the candidates’ hearts and motivations. He believes that this understanding is crucial before Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses and may be the last chance for voters to truly grasp what makes these leaders tick.
The FAMiLY Leader Foundation has organized similar forums in the past, with events held in 2011 and 2015 preceding their respective Iowa caucuses. The 2015 forum, in particular, marked the rise of Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for the 2016 presidential election. However, Vander Plaats does not seem as enthusiastic about Trump’s potential candidacy this time around. He has shown support for Governor Ron DeSantis, even receiving an endorsement from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. Vander Plaats doubts Trump’s ability to secure the GOP nomination and views him as a divisive figure who would only further divide the Republican Party.
As the Iowa caucuses approach, local events in states like Iowa and Nevada gain increasing significance. These events allow candidates to connect with voters on a more personal level and enable voters to assess the candidates’ suitability for office. With the Thanksgiving FAMiLY Forum and other similar events on the horizon, Republican presidential hopefuls have valuable opportunities to make their case to voters and gain crucial support in their bid for the nomination.
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