Iowa Takeaways: Trump Can’t Meet Hype, Clinton Underwhelms

Donald Trump failed to live up to his own hype and finished second to Ted Cruz, but it was a late surge from Marco Rubio that may wind up the as the biggest surprise of the Iowa caucuses.
Iowa Takeaways: Trump Can’t Meet Hype, Clinton Underwhelms
(L) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives for a campaign event at Clinton Middle School in Clinton, Iowa, on Jan. 30. (R) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the Carrollton Inn in Carroll, Iowa, on Jan. 30. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The Associated Press
2/2/2016
Updated:
2/2/2016

Iowa Trusted Cruz

By claiming victory in Iowa, Cruz ensures he'll be a force in the Republican primary contest for weeks to come—if not longer.

He moves on to New Hampshire as the favorite of his party’s most conservative voters. Expect him to pick up support from likeminded candidates who underwhelmed on Monday, among them former neurosurgeon Ben Carson and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul—and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who dropped out of the race.

Cruz won with an impressive ground game and beat back brutal attacks from Trump and others about his trustworthiness, the cornerstone of his campaign and his “TRUSTED” slogan.

And he’s got built-in advantages that will help him sustain his momentum as the race moves into the spring. Cruz began the year with more money than most of his competitors combined, and after New Hampshire, he'll be able to spend it in more friendly territory as the GOP race moves into the South.

Rubio Rising

He didn’t win the most votes, but Marco Rubio had a very good night in Iowa.

The first-term Florida senator claimed third place, finishing just behind Trump. More importantly, he absolutely dominated his competitors in the mainstream wing of the party, earning more votes than former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ohio Gov. John Kasich combined.

Rubio’s team also proved to be masters of the expectations game. By casting Trump and Cruz as the overwhelming front-runners in recent weeks, Rubio’s strong third place finish exceeded expectations and recent polls alike—which made it feel like a victory of sorts.