Democrats, Republicans Bring Their A-Game as Iowa Races Tighten

DES MOINES, Iowa -- It's finally here: The Iowa caucus has arrived. It's expected to be a close affair between both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates.

With a boost from TV personality Glenn Beck, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is making his final pitch to voters and asking for prayer.

"That you say 'Father God, please continue this awakening, continue this spirit of revival, awaken the body of Christ that we might pull back from the abyss," Cruz told a crowd of supporters.

Who benefits from the blizzard bearing down as Iowans get ready to vote in the caucus? CBN Chief Political Correspondent David Brody has the latest:

Cruz needs his ground game out in force to turn out conservative Christian supporters.

"We're in full force. He's got people on the ground, we're block walking, we're answering phones," Cruz supporter Ivette Lozano said. "We are here for victory. Iowa is going to throw us into victory."

Donald Trump might beg to disagree. He's barnstorming around the state with high profile evangelical Jerry Falwell Jr.

In an exclusive backstage interview this weekend, Trump told CBN News he hopes for the best.

"Are you going to win Iowa?" CBN News' David Brody asked.

"Well, we're going to try. I tell you what, we're going to try. The poll just came out and we're leading. We're going to try and if we do that I think it will be good for all of us," Trump replied.

In terms of evangelical support, Cruz is in the lead with Trump placing a solid second. Falwell told CBN News evangelicals can trust Trump.

"I really do believe he would be a friend to evangelicals. There are so many that believe like we do, but when they get into office they aren't friends to evangelicals," he said.

The wild card out here is Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. He's coming on strong in the polls as he makes faith and policy a big part of his message.

"I will protect and defend and uphold your religious liberties because you have a right to live out the teachings of your faith," Rubio declared, to the applause of the crowd.

As for the Democrats, a close race is expected too.

Self-proclaimed socialist Bernie Sanders is playing to standing room only crowds and promising more big government policies.

"I want to expand Planned Parenthood funding," Sanders proclaimed. "We're not attacking Planned Parenthood. We're going to make them stronger."

And his talk of free college is attracting plenty of Millennial fans.

"I need help financially so all of that and being in debt, that's my biggest worry coming into college," a young voter told CBN News.

As for Hillary Clinton, she has a slight lead here by preaching a populist message.

"I will not raise middle class taxes. It is not right. People have not recovered from the Great Recession. We're going to go after the people that have done well," Clinton told supporters.

While the Democratic race has turned tighter by the day, the main course will be Trump vs. Cruz. A Trump win in evangelical-heavy Iowa could open a path to the nomination.

When all is said and done, this Republican race in Iowa will ultimately depend on turnout.

If the turnout is higher than normal, then polls show Trump is poised for a big victory. If it's smaller turnout, then Cruz has a good shot at winning here.