If it's Friday it all starts in Iowa. We're live in dangerously cold Des Moines where

all eyes are on the front runner, the field and the weather as caucus goers and candidates face frigid temperatures in the

final 72 hours before the first in the nation presidential contest.

Plus the US military leads deadly airstrikes against dozens of Iran-backed

people targets in Yemen, prompting vows of vengeance from the rebels and

stoking fears of further escalations in the Middle East.

And Congress barrels toward a partial government

shutdown as House Republicans revolt

against Speaker Johnson's spending agreement

with just one week to go until the deadline. Welcome to Meet the Press Now. I am Kristen Welker. We are here in a very snowy, very cold Des Moines, Iowa with just three days

to go until the all-important Republican caucuses get underway and let me tell you folks it sure is cold out here that is the word

of the day the weather is now a factor for candidates and caucus goers you are

looking at some of the wintery scenes all across the state this week.

The cold and the snow forced campaigns to cancel events today.

Now the forecast for Monday is dangerously cold temperatures with stinging wind chills colder than any

previous caucus day and candidates are doing their best to motivate their supporters to

brave the cold and turn out to caucus.

You know it's going to be cold, I know it's going to be not the most pleasant,

but I don't think you'll ever be able to cast a vote that has more impact

given the circumstances.

We don't know what the turnout's going to be.

It could be much smaller than what it's been in the 16 cycle.

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