Trump to run typical caucus campaign, ‘but bigger’

DES MOINES - Iowans will have the opportune it to see a lot of Donald Trump in the coming months, not on TV, but in person.

Trump, a global businessman will be back in Iowa April 8 as part of his exploratory committee to decide whether to run for president in 2016.

'It's going to be a full caucus campaign, all around the state,” according to Chuck Laudner, a longtime GOP consultant advising Trump.

But don't look for the sort of town-to-town, Pizza Ranch-to-Pizza Ranch campaign Laudner put together for 2012 Iowa caucus winner former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

'That was a mad dash,” Laudner said. Trump's campaign will 'look like a typical caucus campaign, but bigger.”

With Trump, he said there will be bigger events with more people and more time with people in one setting.

'If you can cut out travel time, you can meet with a lot more people,” Laudner said.

So first up, will be a speech on education April 8 at Simpson College in Indianola.

Like many candidates, Laudner said Trump will make an effort to attract more people than the GOP regulars.

'One of the attractions for me as Donald Trump explores this is that he has a reach to some folks who might not be at Republican events,” he said. 'We're going to be working on bringing new people into the caucus campaign, sharing conservative ideas and moving the country to the right.”

No decision has been made on whether Trump will participate in the Iowa GOP straw poll in August, but Laudner is a fan of the event that is expected to draw 20,000 people. No decision will be made until all the ground rules are known.

'It's really up to the candidate whether to participate,” he said, adding, 'It's my favorite day.”