Analysis: On election nights it's always interesting being at the winner's campaign HQ. It's even more interesting being with the person who unexpectedly lost, writes US Correspondent Logan Church.
No one thought Vivek Ramaswamy would win Iowa's Republican caucuses. He was polling a distant fourth, around 8%. But, in the words of several of his supporters I spoke to at his caucus night party (called "Vivek's Raucous Caucus Party") in central Des Moines, Iowa, the (comparatively) young entrepreneur was playing the "long game".
"He's young, educated, smart, and sharp... after he speaks, I'm energised," campaign volunteer Jordan told me.
"I think the media has done him no favours... let's play it out and see where it lands... the night is young."
Ramaswamy, 38, entered the race praising the previous Donald Trump presidency, saying their job was to continue the work he started. He attracted a younger crowd who he was counting on to turn up to vote.
He pushed what most of the world would consider blatant conspiracy theories — that a "deep state" existed in America. That the January 6 Capitol insurrection was an "inside job". He wanted to partially de-fund the FBI.
James Mugamy, who was one of the precinct captains for Ramaswamy (they are the people who stand up at the caucus meeting and make a case as to why their community should vote for a candidate), described him as "the most intelligent person I have ever seen".
"As a president, I would compare him to Obama."
So, it came as a shock to many in the room when Vivek walked in just after 10pm. A short time earlier, the presidential looking podium and trademark double-microphones had been quietly whisked away. A sound guy was holding a hand-held microphone ready to give it to him.
And a minute later, with most of the vote counted and having not even reached 8%, it was over.
"We have looked at it every which way, and I think it is true that we didn't achieve the surprise we wanted to achieve tonight," he told a crowd of about 200 supporters.
"We are going to be suspending this presidential campaign."
"Nooo!" someone cried.
Ramaswamy continued.
"There is no path for me to be the next president absent of things that we don't want to see happen in this country."
"We have done everything [we can] to save our country.
"This has to be an American first candidate in this White House... earlier tonight I called Donald Trump... I told him that going forward he would have my full endorsement."
"Don't do it!" the same person shouted.
A few minutes later he was done, spending about 15 minutes being swarmed by fans and media before he was off.
On the Republican side, it's now a three-horse race for their party's nomination — Trump (the clear frontrunner), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (who came second in Iowa) and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley (who was less than 2% behind DeSantis).
Now, Iowa can return to being the quiet, rural state its residents love it for. The crowds of media are now setting up in New Hampshire, where the first presidential primaries will be held next week. The candidates are there too — even Trump, who spent this morning back in New York in court. Again. Campaign staff have been there for weeks if not months.
And so, the circus continues.
SHARE ME