Republican Rep. Steve King and the conservative activist group Citizens United are holding the Iowa Freedom Summit Jan. 24 in Des Moines. It promises to be a big deal. A good part of the 2016 GOP presidential field — Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee and Ben Carson — is scheduled to attend. But Jeb Bush, who last month announced he is “actively exploring” a White House run and has lately freed himself from corporate connections in anticipation of a run, won’t be there.

An aide said Bush would not be able to attend because of a scheduling conflict. Some conservatives have interpreted that as a snub to King and to conservatives, especially social conservatives, in Iowa and beyond. But King himself, who will play an influential role in the campaign leading up to the January 2016 caucuses, doesn’t see it that way.