An Iowa surprise: Donald Trump is actually trying to win

[DonViejo]

DES MOINES — For five days, the royal-blue bus rumbled through miles of cornfields alongside a popular annual bicycle trek across Iowa. It showed up at a country music concert in Cherokee and at a bacon festival in Ottumwa.

And when the hulking vehicle with thick white block letters that spell T-R-U-M-P pulled into a Wal-Mart parking lot in Fort Dodge this week, people flocked to it. It didn’t matter that Donald Trump wasn’t inside. The bus alone — with the “Make America Great Again” slogan extending across its sides — created an irresistible oasis of celebrity politics amid a desert of minivans and shopping carts.

“One hundred people showing up for a staffer? I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Chuck Laudner, a veteran Iowa organizer who oversees Trump’s efforts here. “They kept saying the same thing: They want something different.”

For many Americans, the Trump presidential campaign amounts to a billionaire talking endlessly, and entertainingly, on television. But here in Iowa, it’s another story. Trump is trying to beat the politicians at their own game, building one of the most extensive field organizations in the Republican field.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/an-iowa-surprise-donald-trump-is-actually-trying-to-win/2015/08/13/564a9f50-4142-11e5-8e7d-9c033e6745d8_story.html?tid=pm_politics_pop_b

[vadermike]

1. Wow

I know we joke about him but he's serious. I personally think if the Dems don't get their act together soon. We will lose to whoever. Our enthusiasm polling numbers are downright disturbing

[tblue37]

4. If the extreme viciousness of the fighting among the supporters of Hillary and Bernie on DU

represents our primary future, I fear the circular firing squad will do the Republicans' work for them. (For the record, I prefer Bernie, but I will absolutely support Hillary or any other Dem candidate.)

[wheniwasincongress]

2. Is it true he's using his own money?

Is he asking for campaign donations? Can people donate? If he's using his own money - he must be pretty serious.

[former9thward]

3. His website asks for donations.

When he started his campaign he self funded but then changed his mind. He matches anything a contributor sends his way.

[Bunkalup]

5. Genius

Could have done the same thing with less gas/costs...