Trump 2024?

Hmmmm?

Democrats might be the only ones excited about this….

First?

This dog don’t think Trump 2024 is actually gonna happen….

I think the guy will be too busy in court….Ah?…make that courts….

Now some Republicans don’t think that would hurt the big guy….

Senate Republicans see a special grand jury investigation into President Trump‘s business practices by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. as more evidence that Democrats want to keep Trump in the spotlight to drag them down in the midterm elections.

Republicans think the investigation will only further deepen partisan divisions over the former president and believe that even if he’s indicted, it won’t diminish him as a political force in 2022 and beyond.

GOP lawmakers say a lot depends on what Vance is able to prove in court if he brings a criminal case against Trump, his business associates or the Trump Organization itself….

…

One Senate Republican who requested anonymity said Trump would have to be “in jail” to be neutralized as a political force.

“It’s one thing if someone’s in jail,” the source said, predicting that otherwise Trump will be able to paint any criminal investigations of his business practices as political retribution.

“This is a continuation of the greatest Witch Hunt in American history,’” Trump declared after The Washington Post reported that the Manhattan DA had convened a grand jury that is expected to consider an indictment of Trump or his associates….

More…

But other Republicans don’t want Donald Trump as excess baggage going into the Midterm and 2024 elections….

Multiple Republicans, however, say Trump’s appeal can be replicated by someone without the baggage of two impeachments, a Capitol riot he stoked, groundless challenges to his election loss and a barrage of inflammatory statements. Those GOP lawmakers believe their party is more competitive than it was five years ago but that Trump himself may no longer be the best standard-bearer.

Of course, most of them would sooner retire than attach their names to that opinion. As one publicly Trump-praising Republican lawmaker put it: “I’d like to see a fresh face. I think we have a lot of them.”

“He’s one of the best presidents we’ve had in terms of policies. But having said that, if it were up to me, I would never have Trump on any ballot ever again because it’s such a distraction,” said another House GOP member, who also insisted on anonymity to speak candidly. “I would love for him to play a behind-the-scenes role and not be on the ballot.”…

…

Of course, with all of his posturing toward another run, Trump may be feinting. Floating his name as a presidential contender keeps him relevant and in the news, while also making his allies eager as ever to kiss his ring in Mar-a-Lago.

The Republicans who are hoping their mercurial figurehead won’t drag out his decision until the last second — and risk kneecapping other candidates — argue that what’s best for Trump may not be best for the GOP as a whole….

More…

Here’s four Republican camps on Trump 2024….

1. Republicans who are burning for Trump to run again. Members like Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) or Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), who told me: “Why have a carbon copy?… Why would we not support the original?”

2. Republicans who pick political viability — they want whoever stands the best chance of winning back the White House. Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) when asked who he wants to run in 2024, replied: “The person that can best save this country — whoever that is.”

3. Quite a few Republicans want fresh skin in the game. They will privately say that they would prefer that Trump take a back seat and help the party, but not seek to be the GOP nominee again (paging the 400 2024 hopefuls).

4. Then there are the GOP lawmakers who are essentially thinking: Dear lord, please not again. Members like Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) have already made their position clear, but this is a sentiment shared by some who are keeping quiet about their disapproval — at least for now.

The other headache for Republicans: Trump claiming he is running again helps him stay relevant and influential in the GOP. But some fear that if he is not serious about running again, he is putting the growing field of potential 2024 candidates who want to challenge President Joe Biden at a disadvantage.

Lots more here from yours truly and Burgess: https://politi.co/3hXBu2m