Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "It's very early and things can change, but right now, former President Donald Trump is in a commanding position," said Republican Strategist Carl Calabrese on WBEN on Tuesday.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced Tuesday his second run for the White House. Christie was, at one point, an advisor to former President Trump. But since the Jan. 6 attack at the Capitol, Christie has been a vocal critic of Trump.
Former Vice President Mike Pence is also expected to announce his candidacy for president this week, as well as North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
"I just looked at the Real Clear Politics average of polls for Republican preferences, and Trump is at 53% and DeSantis is next at 22%. A 31 point lead for Trump. It's his to lose. He's sitting in the catbird seat right now," added Calabrese.
Trump is the only declared Republican candidate who was not in Iowa this past weekend.
"That has allowed his opponents, mainly Ron DeSantis, to make some gains in the state. And by the way, a big knock on DeSantis has been that he lacks a personality, and warmth, and an ability to reach people. But if you saw him in Iowa, you saw the opposite. You saw the skills of a politician who has taken a purple toss-up state and made it deep red," Calabrese said.
For Mike Pence, who is announcing on Wednesday, his previous service as Vice President can be both a blessing and a curse.
"I think his problems within the Republican Party are two fold. For people who have no use for Donald Trump, they see Pence as a negative, as being too close to Trump. But to real Trump supporters, they look at Pence as a traitor. Those are two major problems for Mike Pence. He has a difficult road ahead."
Calabrese views Christie in a different light.
"If you look at his record as governor, he did a lot with taxes, crime and pension reform. But then came Bridgegate. It was a long time ago, but if he's a candidate, it's going to come up again and he's going to have to deal with it on a national level. But he's a fascinating entry. He's a political version of a mixed martial artist when it comes to debates." He added, "when he's on the debate stage with Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, it's going to be fascinating to watch."
The first Republican presidential debate is coming up Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Candidates will have to meet a number of thresholds to quality.
The first battleground events are coming up quickly. the Iowa caucus will be the first-in-the-nation Republican presidential primary caucus, scheduled to be held early next year. Then there are three closely dated primaries in New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
"If you win an early Primary, momentum can change on a dime," noted Calabrese.