It’s doubtful Trump will be GOP nominee, Branstad says

DES MOINES - Donald Trump's celebrity status and name recognition have elevated his poll standings, Gov. Terry Branstad said Tuesday, but he predicted Trump won't be the 2016 GOP presidential nominee a year from now.

'I don't think it's likely that he will be the nominee in the end,” the Republican governor told reporters during his weekly news conference. 'But it's way early, and polls at this point in time tend to reflect name recognition, and obviously he's a TV personality who has a lot of recognition.”

Branstad said there are 'a lot of really good candidates” in the field of 16 Republican presidential candidates, and he believes Iowans will reward those in the first-in-the-nation Feb. 1 caucuses who spend time traveling the state directly answering questions.

He noted that four years ago, there were a number of Republicans who led in Iowa polls before Rick Santorum emerged as the eventual winner over Mitt Romney after caucus results were certified. Romney, however, went on to win the GOP nomination, but lost the 2012 election to Barack Obama.

During a weekend rally in Oskaloosa, Trump touted his top ranking in some national polls and took a swipe at Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who leads early Iowa polling, among others. He won repeated cheers from nearly 1,400 who turned out to hear him speak and enjoy a free lunch.

Branstad said his plan for the 2016 caucuses is to be a good host and encourage candidates to make frequent trips to the state, noting that the large field is translating into an economic boon.

'So far, I think we're getting a lot of attention, a lot of interest, and Iowans are following this race very closely,” the governor said.

He said he has been encouraging to all the candidates, but confided he's partial to governors, and noted former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Perry has spent the most time in Iowa so far, which could enable him to 'do a lot better” than expected in what Branstad speculated could be a record GOP caucus turnout.

'It's a long time between now and February,” Branstad said. 'This is July of the year before the general election and a lot will happen between now and then.”