WEST DES MOINES (Iowa) Nikki Haley entertained activists in Iowa and Mike Pence cultivated donors in California. Donald Trump returned to the rally stage, teasing a third campaign.More than a year has passed since the midterms, and 1,225 days remain before the next presidential election. Republicans are determined to run for the White House and have been busy jockeying for positions in a highly competitive field.In the weeks ahead, the political activity will intensify, especially in Iowa, which is home to the nation’s first presidential caucuses. Iowa also has a significant number of conservative evangelicals who play an important role in directing the GOP's direction. On Tuesday, Sen. Tom Cotton from Arkansas will visit, along with others including Pence, the South Dakota Governor. Kristi Noem, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, are expected to be present in July.If Trump chooses to not run for president in 2024, the flurry of activity indicates that there isn't a clear frontrunner.It certainly feels early, but it doesn't feel bad based on the circumstances," stated Mike DuHaime, a veteran Republican strategist. The party has changed, and the voters are changing. I believe the process has also changed. Many of the candidates seem to have realized this.The central question in Republican politics right now is whether Trump will run again, given his continued lies about losing last year to Joe Biden. Former president said that he would make a decision after next years midterms.He is also facing legal risks, including the possibility that Manhattan prosecutors could file criminal charges against him company. A Georgia district attorney is investigating Trump for trying to influence election officials to favor his cause.Trump is still flirting with a political future, even though he was forced out of office in January by the shadow of impeachment. Trump returned to the rally stage as a private citizen last weekend, looking every inch the candidate, as an enthusiastic crowd in Ohio shouted, "Four more years!"Continue the storyHe said, "We won the election twice." "And it's possible well win it a 3rd time."Republicans like Pence have found it particularly difficult to face the specter Trump. Pence, a conservative evangelical Christian and Trump's unflinchingly loyal vice-president, would appeal to many party activists. Many in the GOP were disappointed by his decision to follow the Constitution and certify Biden’s win.Although he still praises Trump's achievements, Pence has been working more recently to forge himself. He split with his former boss over the severe Jan. 6 riot that left him in hiding, but which many Republicans want to minimize.This balance act was clearly evident as Pence gave a speech at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to a packed-out crowd of over 800 people. It was part of a swing through California, which also included meetings with donors and a headline speech during a Republican National Committee dinner.Pence seemed to be able to withstand being jeered and booed at the conservative conference in Florida the week before. He delivered his strongest defense yet of Trump's insistence that he could unilaterally reverse the election results. Trump supporters continue to blame Pence, even though he did not have the power to reverse the results.Pence stated that there is almost no un-American idea than the idea that one person can choose the American president. He also said that he would be proud to have done our part on that terrible day to reconvene Congress and fulfill our duties under the Constitution.Haley, Trump’s former ambassador at the United Nations and former governor of South Carolina has had to walk a tightrope for the past two years. Haley sharply criticised Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol Riots but has since mostly avoided the topic.Haley was presented to 500 Republican activists at a Thursday dinner as a future-generation conservative figure during a three day swing through Iowa.Haley, like Pence, spent much of her speech praising Trump for his time in office and sharing stories of her work that made chuckles with him. She also ignored Trump's long campaign to doubt the outcome of the 2020 elections.As ambassador to the United Nations, I witnessed firsthand how Donald Trump placed America first, sometimes in some of the most fascinating of ways, she stated.Haley was also a guest on a popular conservative radio show that featured fundraisers for county and state leaders, including the Iowa Governor. Kim Reynolds.She said that there are many reasons I love Iowa. Iowa loves badass Republican women, which is perhaps the main reason why they love it so much.Activists in states where they will have the final say in choosing their party's candidate are not surprised by this activity.It takes time to court states such as New Hampshire or Iowa," stated Greg Moore, the New Hampshire director of Americans for Prosperity. The conservative political advocacy group was founded by the Koch brothers. It's fine and dandy to be President Trump, if you have the infrastructure already in place and can just turn the key. For everyone else, however, you must build it.Polls and interviews have shown that voters are far from choosing favorites. However, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is often mentioned as a potential Trump successor. He is notable as one of few prominent Republicans who have yet to visit Iowa in this year's election.Retiree Bob Egbert (75) praised Trump at last week's GOP party in California but expressed doubt that a third run would benefit the party. Egbert is enamored with DeSantis's personality and considers Pences' low-key personality a liability to voters.Egbert, a Republican, stated that he would make a pleasant, bland candidate. That is not what I think we need.Former governor of California. Pete Wilson, a Republican predicted a fierce contest in 2024 but declined to name a favorite from the emerging candidates.What about Trump?After all, it is his decision. Wilson stated that he shared the decision with his family. He is greatly admired. He is much loved and feared by the Biden administration.___Colvin reported from Wellington in Ohio. This report was contributed by Michael R. Blood, Associated Press writer from Simi Valley (California).
