Reports: Several Republicans plotting possible 2020 run
A bombshell report is out, claiming several republicans including Vice President Mike Pence may already be plotting their course for a possible run for the white house in 2020.
The New York Times report shows at least four republican lawmakers, including the Vice President, are positioning themselves for a potential 2020 race that doesn't include the sitting president.
This comes only 6 months into the presidency, and while Trump is on vacation.
Meantime, other republicans are apparently working for the American people's vote.
A New York Times notes Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton and Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse have already visited Iowa this year.
The article also said Governor John Kasich is eyeing a return visit to New Hampshire, and even Mike Pence, who has such a busy schedule, the party jokes he's acting like a second term vice president.
The 'would-be' candidates are reportedly talking to republican donor's and courting conservative interest groups as well.
“They're not abandoning him yet, but there is enough concern amongst republican lawmakers to say it's worth keeping the door open,” said Politico senior reporter, Azi Paybarah.
Paybarah said this push along party lines so early on in presidency is unprecedented.
Then again, so is Trump's presidency as a whole.
“That could be banking an in intervention by Robert Mueller and the investigation into Russia or it could be a sign that they expect some kind of backlash from republican voters,” he continued.
When asked about those republicans who seem to be eyeing 2020, White House Spokeperson Lindsay Walker seemingly fired a warning shot.
“The president is as strong as he's ever been in Iowa, and every potentially ambitious republican knows that,” she said.
While these lawmakers are raising money, it's not enough to risk their current seat.
Paybarah said that's something to keep an eye on in the coming months.
“The fact that we're even having this discussion now is a clear sign that Trump is in very troubled waters, and if he doesn't do something soon he might see more of this,” he said.
Trump has given no indication that he won’t be seeking a second term.
While it's unclear what the appetite will be in four years, experts said a lot of it is going to depend on what the outcome of this Mueller, Russia investigation is.