The Democratic National Committee is already hard at work amassing opposition research on more than 20 possible GOP presidential contenders for the 2024 race.
Among those the DNC is hoping to get “dirt” on include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Niki Haley, and of course, former President Donald Trump, The Hill reported.
The operatives are also researching more unconventional GOP allies such as Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Minnesota entrepreneur and staunch Trump supporter Mike Lindell, the founder of My Pillow, the report added.
The group formed shortly after President Joe Biden’s inauguration Jan. 20, both The Hill and Politico reported.
It includes Nick Bauer as the group’s research manager, Caroline Graham, and Austin Dieter.
According to the report, the group is planning on a huge field of GOP candidates which could decrease significantly should Trump make a third bid for the White House.
Other possible GOP names in the presidential race could include Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Rick Scott, R-Fla., as well as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Pence is already hitting the presidential circuit with planned stops from South Carolina to California, according to Politico.
Meanwhile, coming off a wave of popularity during the COVID-19 crisis, DeSantis is not only getting some of the spotlight as a candidate for president, but the word of Trump that he would “certainly” consider him as a VP pick.
“He’s a friend of mine; I endorsed Ron, and after I endorsed him, he took off like a rocket ship,” Trump recently said in a Fox News interview. “He’s done a great job as governor.”
When asked if he would run for a third time, Trump told Daily Wire show host Candace Owens people would “be very, very happy” with his answer.
“The answer is I’m absolutely enthused,” he said. “I look forward to doing an announcement at the right time.”
The DNC is not just beefing up its opposition research for its political rivals, it is also gearing up for a massive fundraising effort, according to The Hill’s reporting.
That group includes Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., former campaign manager Roger Lau, DNC Political Director Alana Mounce, President Biden’s former deputy campaign manager Pete Kavanaugh, among others, according to The Hill.
The fundraising group will be working on both the 2022 and 2024 cycles, the report said.
