One conservative talk radio host in Iowa even joked about Pruitt’s August trip to the state. “If you’re writing a book, you come to Iowa, or you must be running for the presidency,” WHO-AM’s Simon Conway told Pruitt.

The trips, which have taken Pruitt to 25 mostly Republican-led states, are ostensibly to highlight his efforts to loosen Obama-era water regulations. But he’s also spending time with GOP leaders and influential industries and packing in as many media hits as possible, laying out well-rehearsed talking points to bash former President Barack Obama’s EPA.