Trump's internal party rivals signal their own presidential bids
A few years ago, getting in Donald Trump's way was a guaranteed way for a Republican politician to lose their job.
The then-president had such an enormous sway in his party that candidates would drop out of races or retire from their job if Trump endorsed someone else.
But as Trump telegraphs he is only months away from a third presidential bid, other Republicans are showing he may have a fight on his hands.
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Kristi Noem rides a horse, in what is a fairly standard ad for politicians in South Dakota. Kristi Noem
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is currently airing a re-election ad hitting all the right notes.
The ad features her galloping through a field in a cowboy hat, as her voiceover speaks of the value of hard work.
It's a very typical ad for a western state politician, but it's not only airing in South Dakota.
Her campaign has also paid to put the ad in front of Facebook users in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Kristi Noem has positioned herself as an up-and-comer in Republican politics. AP
Those three states are the first states in the presidential primary contest. Airing a South Dakota re-election ad in those three states are as clear an indication she will run for president in 2024 as a politician can do.
Meanwhile, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who served as Trump's UN Ambassador, has hinted at her own presidential bid.
The hint came in a tweet lambasting Joe Biden's reported intent of signing a nuclear non-proliferation deal with Iran.
"And if this president signs any sort of deal, I'll make you a promise… The next President will shred it – on her first day in office," Haley tweeted yesterday.
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Nikki Haley has flagged she'll run for president in 2024. AP
Haley and Noem's hints at a presidential bid are a strong signal they see blood in the water in the Republican primary.
A poll from Siena and the New York Times found 49 per cent of Republican voters would vote for Trump in the 2024 primary.
While he has a strong lead over his rivals, it is not a commanding position for a man with universal name recognition.
That poll indicates that more than half of Republicans are shopping around for another candidate.
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Donald Trump may have a crowded field in the Republican primary. AP
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is at 25 per cent in the poll. Senator Ted Cruz is at seven per cent. Former Vice President Mike Pence and Haley are both at 6 per cent. Noem was not included in the poll.
All of those potential rivals presented themselves as diehard Trump supporters only a few years ago.
In a poll commissioned by the Detroit News and WDIV released today, only 45 per cent of Michigan Republicans would vote for Trump. DeSantis is at 42 per cent. No other candidates were included in the poll.
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Ron DeSantis reads Donald Trump's 'Art of the Deal' to his baby in his first 2018 gubernatorial primary ad. Ron DeSantis
In America's baffling habit of always having election campaigns, presidential aspirants normally announce their run in the months after the midterm election, ie- after this November.
But Trump himself indicated to New York magazine he is considering jumping the gun.
"I feel very confident that, if I decide to run, I'll win," he said.
"I would say my big decision will be whether I go before or after."
The winner of the Republican presidential primary will go up against Joe Biden, or whoever replaces him as the Democratic nominee.
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