In Iowa, the Republican caucus is a key event in the race for the White House, as it is the first-in-the-nation caucus.
However, the author notes that the landscape in Iowa is eerily silent, with no major candidates or political campaigns in sight.
Art Cullen, editor of Iowa's Storm Lake Times, suggests that this silence may be due to the Trump effect, with Republican candidates holding off until Trump's popularity wanes.
The article notes that Donald Trump's rise in popularity has taken many by surprise, with the businessman-turned-politician claiming top poll numbers in Iowa and other key states.
The article quotes University of Virginia Center for Politics professor Larry Sabato, who describes Trump's rise as "unprecedented".
Despite Trump's popularity, the article notes that there are still many Republican candidates looking to challenge him in the primary campaign.
However, some, such as former Virginia governor Jim Gilmore, may struggle to gain traction due to the Trump effect.
The article suggests that it may take a strong candidate with a clear message to take on Trump in the Iowa caucuses, but it is unclear who that candidate may be.