Trump Sets Expectations of Winning Iowa

New York Times: “Instead of lowering the stakes for himself in Iowa, Mr. Trump has raised them. He is pouring resources into the state’s television market, airing 60-second ads where other Republicans run 30-second ones. His campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, a fixture at his boss’s side for almost a year, has given up his seat on the jet and is living in Iowa for the duration, traveling the state to quarterback the get-out-the-vote operation. The campaign spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, has done the same.”

“It would be easier, and perhaps cagier, for Mr. Trump to play down the importance of Iowa, play up Mr. Cruz’s strength with evangelicals and other conservatives here, and rush on to the Feb. 9 primary in New Hampshire, where he holds a wide lead in the polls. Raising expectations could make a loss in Iowa harder to bounce back from.”

Politico: “Trump’s confidence — or maybe overconfidence — has his campaign dreaming of an early-state sweep.”