Marco Rubio seen as dark horse rival to JD Vance as Trump's natural heir
The vice president has long been seen as the natural heir to Donald Trump 's MAGA movement.
But Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, is riding a groundswell of support among party activists and early voting states, according to CNN analyst Eric Bradner.
Bradner said Rubio, who has become a member of Trump's trusted inner circle, polls particularly well in Iowa.
He added that the former Florida senator is in with a shot at cultivating the support he needs to lead the MAGA movement in life after Trump.
'I was a little surprised during a recent visit to Iowa how frequently the name of Secretary of State Marco Rubio came up, often in the same breath as JD Vance,' he said.
'Both of them, despite their own very public criticism of Trump in the past, now seem to be viewed as team players; as closely aligned with Trump and with his current administration, obviously, as leading members of it.'
He added that, unlike Vance, Rubio has run for president before, so he has spent time campaigning on the ground in states where gaining early traction is crucial.
'A lot of people in the early voting states remember Rubio visiting them in 2016 when he finished third in Iowa in what were pretty competitive caucuses,' Bradner noted.
'A lot of these early-state Republican voters have met Rubio before.'
Vance, on the other hand, is still relatively new on the scene and may have more to prove.
'They like Vance, but they don't know him yet. They haven't had a chance to go through the usual process with him,' he said.
Rubio recently sidestepped a question about his own ambitions to one day become president, instead deflecting back to Vance's credentials.
'I think JD Vance would be a great nominee … if he decides he wants to do that,' Rubio told Fox.
'I think he's doing a great job as vice president. He's a close friend, and I hope he intends to do it.'
While Trump is personally entwined with the MAGA movement, the Constitution states he is unable to run for a third term.
This has not stopped him repeatedly suggesting since returning to office that he would like to serve again.
'I will say this – so many people want me to do it,' Trump revealed in May. 'I have never had requests so strong as that.'
'But it's something that, to the best of my knowledge, you're not allowed to do,' he conceded.
'I don't know if that's constitutional that they're not allowing you to do it or anything else. But there are many people selling the 2028 hat.'
Despite brushing off questions about a possible return to office, Trump went so far as to launch Trump 2028 merchandise promoting the possibility.
Rep Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., introduced a measure shortly after the president's inauguration to change the 22nd Amendment.
The proposal would change the amendment's language to specify that a president could run for a third term if the first two were not consecutive.
'No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times, nor be elected to any additional term after being elected to two consecutive term,' the proposed legislation stated.
This would specifically stop Trump's leading opposition - Barack Obama - from also trying to run for a third term.
A recent exclusive Daily Mail/J.L. Partners poll revealed Obama would win in a theoretical matchup.
Of the respondents, 52 per cent chose the former Democratic president and 41 per cent chose Trump.
Obama's 11-point majority over Trump stems from an enthusiastic Hispanic base, of which 73 per cent selected Obama, and also 68 per cent of black voters.
Independent voters also preferred Obama over Trump in the hypothetical match, 50 per cent for the former Democrat to just 39 per cent for Trump.
Trump supporters have mused about a possible loophole in the law, if Vance - or any other close Trump ally - won a presidential race in 2028 with Trump as his running mate.
Theoretically, the new president could swear in and then resign, allowing a vice president Trump to ascend back into power.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also addressed Trump's much-touted third term last month.
'You guys continue to ask the president this question about a third term and then he answers honestly and candidly with a smile and then everybody here melts down about his answer,' she said.
Cruz control: Bradner said Ted Cruz could also be a contender, noting he beat Trump in Iowa in the 2016 race
'People love the job this president is doing.'
Trump has also floated the idea of his eldest son, Don Trump Jr, taking his place in the White House.
Bradner said Ted Cruz could also be a contender, noting he beat out Trump in Iowa in the 2016 race.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is also often floated as a contender who could rally support in his home state and beyond.
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