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Des Moines. — Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton walked among the booths selling funnel cakes and corn dogs at the Iowa State Fair, trailed by a massive pack of media and onlookers. Republican Donald Trump’s helicopter circled the fairgrounds in the air above. That’s as close as Clinton and Trump’s massive entourages came on Saturday at the state fair, a rite of passage for any presidential candidate in the Midwestern state whose caucuses next February lead off the 2016 state-by-state nominating contests.
The respective party front-runners each drew large crowds of gawkers as Clinton sampled a pork chop on a stick and Trump gave rides to children on his helicopter emblazoned with his famous last name.
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“Nice to be here!” Clinton said as she started an hour-long stroll across the fairgrounds. Former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, who endorsed her this week, accompanied her. Everywhere Clinton walked, large crowds followed her to get a photograph, a handshake or a quick hello. Trump, who despite making waves amid a crowded Republican field is still considered a long shot for the Republican nomination, later made a grand entrance, landing his helicopter in athletic fields about 1.6km away.
He offered rides on the chopper to children before he came onto the grounds. Almost immediately, Trump was crushed by massive crowds seeking photos, handshakes and yelling encouragement. The pandemonium followed him around for roughly an hour before he hopped on a golf cart and was driven away.
“This is beyond what I expected. This is amazing,” Trump said. “It’s been a day of love.” Both Trump and Clinton avoided getting up on The Des Moines Register’s “soapbox”, a place where candidates can deliver remarks and take questions from fairgoers. A candidate can be cheered or jeered, depending on the mood of the crowd and whether supporters or opponents are on hand. — AFP.
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