It’s never too early to launch a presidential campaign, even when the next one is more than two years away.

The first phase of a presidential election usually begins weeks after the midterms, when prospective presidential aspirants test the waters to determine whether their appeal and their message generates some appeal to voters in the early primary states. Not so this cycle — everything about running for president, from the fundraising and stump speeches to the corny state fair barbecues, are happening at a time when Americans are still three weeks away from pulling the levers for the next Congress. Media organizations are already releasing polls sizing up the hypothetical field of 2020 Democratic primary contenders, surveys that are meaningless at this stage in the process but nevertheless interesting to look at.

If you happen to be a Democrat mulling a run for the highest office in the land, you will very likely enter the most expansive field of Democratic presidential candidates in our lifetime. One can’t blame candidates for wanting to start their campaigns (or potential campaigns) as early as possible; after the midterms are over, all of the political talent will be free for the taking. Strategists, pollsters, communications advisers, and campaign managers will be on the prowl for the most appealing candidate to latch onto. Donors rich enough to throw a few million dollars into a political cause will be doing the same, sizing up which candidate is the best investment. With the 2020 Democratic field so competitive, is it any wonder why prospective candidates are raising cash in California and barnstorming South Carolina?

President Trump, of course, doesn’t have that problem. Love him or hate it, Trump has the Republican Party in the firm grip of his hands. If Trump does face a primary challenger (Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake are the most visible), a 2020 GOP primary will probably be over after Trump wins in New Hampshire. Trump’s main problem is not so much a Republican challenger nipping at his heels from the center-right as it is a Democrat who comes out of his or her primary unscathed — one who can walk the political tightrope and appeal to the Bernie Bros in Brooklyn and to the union workers in central Ohio.

As much as the Democratic Party enjoys dumping on Trump and dreaming about his potential impeachment next year, it would be the definition of foolishness for Democrats to underestimate the president’s political talents. Yes, Trump’s average job approval numbers have never cracked 50 percent. And unless you’re watching Fox News, the media has depicted the Trump administration somewhere between scandalous and morally reprehensible.

But the people who support Trump generally love him and are rock solid to get out and vote in November 2020. Combine the affection of his base, the piles of cash his re-election campaign has been raising ($106 million as of January 2017), and his ability to steal media attention from his political foes, and Trump makes for a formidable opponent.

Americans are in the midst of two national campaigns. The first will end early next month. The second won’t end for another 24 months. And even when it does, 2022 is right around the corner.

Daniel DePetris (@DanDePetris) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog. His opinions are his own.