DES MOINES, Iowa — In February 1984, President Ronald Reagan, assured of his party’s nomination for reelection, nevertheless decided to fly to Iowa to hold two rallies, one in Waterloo and the other here in Des Moines, on the day Democrats held their presidential caucuses.

Reagan’s move frustrated Democratic leaders. The state party chairman called the visit a “stunt” and “not worthy of a president.” Another Democrat, speaking anonymously to the New York Times, said, “Let’s face it: Reagan’s media event will clobber our media event.”