Closing Arguments
Candidates have been on the trail for many months, in some cases more than a year, and honed their arguments in countless speeches. In the closing weeks and days leading up to the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses, surviving candidates made their pitches to generally packed audiences. Each sought to show caucus goers that he or she was the best choice to take on and defeat Trump, presenting in their speeches varying amounts of biography, vision and proposals, criticism of Trump and connection to and understanding of Iowa and Iowans. In addition to caucus goers, either supporting the candidate or still shopping for one, a surprising number of people in the audiences were from out of state, including students from high school and college classes and political tourists.
 



Also note. Former U.S. Rep. John Delaney was campaigning extensively in Iowa until he ended his bid on Jan. 31, 2020.
 
Often a field organizer from the campaign opens the event, expaining why he or she decided to work for the candidate. Sometimes a prominent endorser or endorsers makes introductory remarks. After making remarks the candidate usually, but not always takes questions. Before and after the event, campaign staff with clip boards are on hand to sign up supporters to help with phone banking or canvassing. Reporters from news organizations big and small from around the country and the world cover the scene.

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