Remarks Following the Iowa Caucuses in West Des Moines, Iowa

[As prepared for delivery]

We have had an amazing eleven months here in the Hawkeye State. I came to Iowa early and often. And I kept coming back . . . even though the cold weather is brutal. The kindness of Iowans will never be lost on me. You're faithful, patriotic, hardworking Americans.

At one point in this campaign, there were 14 of us running. I was at two percent in the polls. But tonight, Iowa did what Iowa does so well. The pundits will analyze the results from every angle. But when you look at how we are doing in New Hampshire, in South Carolina, and beyond, I think we can safely say . . .

Tonight, Iowa made this Republican primary a two-person race!

Tonight, I'll be back in the great state of New Hampshire. And the question before Americans is now very clear. Do you want more of the same, or do you want a new generation of conservative leadership?

I've spoken a lot of hard truths to America. And here's another one: I voted for Donald Trump twice. I was proud to serve in his administration.

But when I say, "more of the same," you know what I'm talking about. It's both Donald Trump and Joe Biden. They have more in common than you might think. Seventy percent of Americans don't want another Trump-Biden rematch. A majority disapprove of both of them. Trump and Biden are both about 80 years old. Trump and Biden both put our country trillions of dollars deeper in debt, and our kids will never forgive them. Trump and Biden both lack a vision for our country's future . . . because both are consumed by the past, by investigations, by vendettas and grievances.

America deserves better.

We deserve a new direction under new conservative leadership. We deserve a president who will focus on the needs of our people, not on themselves.

A president who will rebuild our economy, close our border, and stand up to our enemies. Most importantly, we deserve a president who will stop our self-loathing, end the division and fear, and make America strong and proud!

Our campaign is the last best hope of stopping the Trump-Biden nightmare.

But it's more than that. Republicans have lost the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections. That's nothing to be proud of. We should want to earn the support of a majority of Americans.

All the evidence says that if it's a Trump-Biden rematch, it's going to be another tossup election. It could go either way. We could have more disputes over election interference. And Joe Biden could win again, with Kamala Harris waiting in the wings. Lord, help us.

And then look at what happens when I go head-to-head against Biden. We win in a landslide. It's not even close. That means no recounts, no lawsuits, and no doubts.?It means no more Chuck Schumer leading the Senate. No more endless votes for House Speaker because we'll have a huge House majority.

We'll term limit the do-nothing Washington politicians. We'll rebuild our economy and secure our border.

And make no mistake, we will restore our national pride. We are blessed to live in America, and it's time we remembered that.

And as we head to New Hampshire, I have one more thing to say: "Underestimate Me. That's Always Fun."

I love you, Iowa! On to New Hampshire!