Trump gains ground in Iowa

The inappropriate comment was supposed to shed a flattering light on the loyalty of Trump’s supporters, but mostly, it’s done the opposite, painting them as even more radical than before.

Trump did not repeat the “shoot somebody” line at a later rally in Pella, while stressing to the crowd there that he would tone down his rhetoric as president. I mean, it has been that it’s true that you attract some people with that, but you repel other people with that. Of all Iowans who said they will vote in this year’s Republican caucus, about 38 percent are first-timers – 43 percent of which support Trump.

Overall, more than one-fourth of all voters surveyed in the poll, or 27 percent, responded Cruz is not eligible to be president.

Still, Griffith said, “I knew when he said it it was risky … somebody is going to take and twist that line”.

“Over the course of his time on Twitter, including in some cases after he announced his presidential candidacy, Trump has tweeted or retweeted profanity on his account more than 100 times”, reports the Washington Post.

Most legal experts have agreed with Cruz’s assessment, but the issue has never been settled in federal court, and Trump noted Saturday that he would have legal standing to sue Cruz over the issue as an opponent for the Republican presidential nomination.

The endorsement comes in the wake of Sarah Palin, another conservative heavyweight, endorsing Donald Trump earlier this week.

Trump also joked Cruz should run for prime minister of Canada instead of president of the United States. “It’s, like, incredible.” Video footage captures laughter at Trump’s comments among those in the audience following the remarks. Senator Grassley did not endorse him but repeated Mr. Trump’s signature phrase, saying Republicans have a chance to “Make America Great Again”.

However, the establishment’s growing acceptance of Trump’s electoral prospects so far hasn’t manifested itself in tangible support for his campaign. Grassley walked the State Fair grounds this summer with Jeb Bush and Grassley is scheduled to stop by a Marco Rubio event next weekend. Rep. Steve King, an Iowa Republican and conservative firebrand, and Iowa social conservative leader Bob Vander Plaats encouraged local Republicans to unite behind Cruz.