Wall Street Journal White House correspondent Carol Lee said Iowa voters are "definitely down" on President Obama and the Democratic Party, creating a distinct advantage for Republican Senate candidate Joni Ernst over Democratic incumbent Sen. Bruce Braley.
"I talked to a bunch of voters at that event, and some of them coming to that event had voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 and had regretted voting for him," Lee said.
"The voters there are definitely down on the president and really looking for somebody different, and [Ernst] seems to be tapping into some kind of sentiment there and it looks like she’s actually going to wind up winning."
Lee said outgoing Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin’s recent comments warning Iowa voters not to be fooled by Ernst because she is "really attractive" and "sounds nice" may backfire on Tuesday.
"If there's one thing that any politician, particularly a seasoned one like Harkin should know, you don't talk about women's looks in that way," Lee said.
"It's just not something that belongs in a race like this, and it's sort of surprising to hear it coming from somebody who understands the state and has been around for so long."
Morning Joe hose Mika Brzezinski admitted that there is a double standard when it comes to politicians making sexist comments.
"If a Republican said that, it would be over," Brzezinski said. "Can you imagine a female candidate saying that about a male? I can't--it just wouldn't happen."