The budding Republican presidential race has kicked up a notch, after a slew of potential candidates played directly to the base at a forum in Iowa — an event that saw Sarah Palin back in the mix, Chris Christie proving he can mingle in the heartland, and Ted Cruz and others showing their fiery conservative chops.

Several of the speakers at the daylong Iowa Freedom Summit tilted hard right in their remarks on immigration, security and taxes. And the speakers and audience members showed scorn for those who did not attend — particularly the more moderate no-shows, like former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

As all move toward a decision on a 2016 bid in the coming weeks and months, the event showed battle lines being drawn in what is likely to be a crowded and competitive contest.

Some of the toughest criticism came from real estate mogul Donald Trump, who fired up the crowd by declaring there’s “no way” Bush or Romney could win in 2016.

“You just can’t have those two,” said Trump, who claims to be, once again, weighing a presidential run.