O’Malley swipes at Sanders in Iowa

His annual political fundraiser, called the Harkin Steak Fry, was a must-attend event for Democratic politicians, particularly those considering a run for president.

“Nice to be here!”

Sanders contrasted his message with that of the GOP’s crowded 2016 field, including Trump. Nearly immediately Trump was crushed by massive crowds seeking photos, handshakes and yelling encouragement.

Republican presidential hopeful and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee stands next to a poster featuring all of the republican candidates for president as he tours the Iowa State Fair on August 13, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa.

“This is beyond what I expected”. You need to go to every vender and every booth and say hello. “It’s been a day of love”. The candidates’ destination is the Des Moines Register’s Soapbox where they will be given a chance to speak and address the fair- goers.

At a typical campaign event, Trump meets privately with a handful of local leaders before or after a speech to a crowd of several hundred, and sometimes several thousand, potential supporters.

The front-runners weren’t the only ones seeking Iowans’ support.

Clinton is pouring staff and resources into Iowa’s caucuses to fend off a strong challenge from Vermont Sen.

Despite a shrinking crowd as attendees streamed out of the hall after Clinton and then Sanders, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley received a warm welcome, too.

“After a quick stop for a root beer, Sanders” entourage was cheered by people drinking beers at The Depot.

And it’s only partly about Donald Trump. We left the helicopter at home.

Veteran Iowa political operative Chuck Laudner spent the last presidential election crisscrossing the state in his own pickup truck with Rick Santorum at his side, driving the former Pennsylvania senator to a surprise victory in the crucial Iowa Republican caucus in 2012. Clinton is dismissing the controversies as “partisan games”.

A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit the parents of a missing Indiana University student filed against two men who were with her the night she disappeared four years ago.

Trump, however, won’t get to make the grand entrance he’d once envisioned.

“There’s Trump!” shouted one man. The aforementioned pork on a stick is a highlight. Minutes later, she boarded a black SUV and was whisked away. McCain and Kelly, a Fox News anchor, have only boosted his poll numbers – and therefore, can’t be mistakes.

Pressed again later in the afternoon if he would spend up to $1 billion, Trump was more definitive: “If necessary, I will spend it, yes”.

In a report by cbsnews.com, the candidates will be facing uncontrolled audience and it’s up to them how to deal with hecklers, their outfit for a good impression as well as the food that they’re going to eat as all of these will be observed by the fair visitors. We’re building a wall.