Iowa Republicans like governors as presidential timber

Iowa Republicans participating in a Bloomberg Politics/Purple Strategies focus group last week said they're following a broad range of issues and prospective candidates this election cycle.

Here's a look at three topics catching their attention — from governors to foreign policy to Donald Trump — based on their discussion at Drake University in Des Moines:

1. Governors come out on top

Participants liked the idea of electing governors rather than other types of elected officials.

Governors, they said, have outsider credibility because they haven't spent as much time in Washington, D.C. Still, they've had to lead states and legislatures full of diverse opinions.

Randy, 44, said he was most interested in New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry because of their experience as governors.

"It's more the outsider (perspective)," he said. "They've got the leadership skills ... and they've done large states or large budgets, so that they've dealt with large numbers, I guess, and complex problems, from the governor's standpoint."

Other governors expected to run include former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

One participant, Lucy, 68, even said she wished Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad would run for the nomination.

2. Donald Trump has some people taking notice

Business tycoon and TV personality Donald Trump has flirted with presidential politics in the past but stopped short of a candidacy. That has prompted many in the media to take a skeptical view of his talk of running this time.

But four participants said they would consider caucusing for him.

"I'm in sales in retail," said Kristina, 27. "And anybody who can make a quick dollar out of nothing, you've got my attention."

Craig, 63, said he heard Trump on TV saying he would construct a big fence along the nation's border, which he appreciated.

Others, though, called the idea of Trump running for president "ridiculous" and "silly."

3. A foreign policy focus

Although the Iowa Republican caucuses typically attract a sizable bloc of social conservatives, several participants said they were more concerned in the next election about foreign policy and national security than issues such as abortion and gay marriage.

Asked whether foreign policy is among the most important issues to them, everyone in the group raised a hand.

Asked who thought social issues were among their top concerns, two people raised their hands: Michelle and Crystal, who both said they were keeping an eye on Huckabee.

Michelle, 32, said if she had to pick one or the other, she would say issues of foreign policy and national security are more important.

"That's our safety," she said.

Crystal, 30, said immigration is a major concern for her as well as social issues.

"The moral issues are very important to me personally and that ... we are following the Constitution and that ... everybody has the right to follow their religion and their pursuit of happiness in a safe environment," she said.

About the focus group

Bloomberg Politics, in conjunction with Purple Strategies, conducted two qualitative focus groups in Des Moines, one of likely Democratic caucus participants and one of likely Republican caucus participants.

Each group consisted of 10 participants, both men and women, and from a variety of ages and socioeconomic and educational backgrounds.

Qualitative research results cannot be statistically analyzed or projected onto the broader population at large. As is customary, respondents were compensated for their participation.

Last names were not used in accordance with Bloomberg Politics/Purple Strategies ground rules for the focus group.