Key Takeaways:
– Donald Trump is being warned by Republicans in key battleground states about his lack of a ground operation for voter turnout.
– Trump’s rejection of investing in a get-out-the-vote operation puts him at a disadvantage compared to the focused voter engagement strategy of the Harris-Walz campaign.
– The Harris-Walz campaign has well-coordinated campaign offices and an extensive ground staff in key states.
– Trump is relying heavily on outside conservative groups for voter turnout efforts.
– A strong battleground strategy could be crucial in deciding the outcome of the election.
Trump Faces Criticism for Lacking Ground Operation
Donald Trump, the former president, is receiving caution from Republicans in pivotal battleground states. They point out his lack of a ground game for convincing voters. Trump had put these responsibilities on private conservative factions. But now that Biden isn’t running anymore, the lack of an organized election operation could spell trouble for him.
The Washington Post recently revealed that Trump is being informed by allies that his ground presence is poor in vital battleground regions. This has led to his frustration at how his campaign staff are portrayed in the media. He believes they are over-credited. Some advisors suggested that he should allocate more funds for digital advertising, as he is currently facing a serious online backlash.
Trump’s Lackluster Ground Game in Swing States
Trump is grappling with scarce campaign field staff in battleground states, less than 100 days before the election. These staff members are essential for canvassing and driving voter turnout in presidential campaigns. His campaign is heavily reliant on external groups such as America First Works, America PAC, and Turning Point Action.
Not having grounded and well-organized offices in these states may prevent effective voter engagement. This could lead to a substantial decrease in voter turnout, affecting the overall election results.
Harris-Walz Campaign’s Effective Voter Engagement
In contrast, the Harris-Walz campaign has been making significant strides in engaging with voters. The campaign recently announced that they have more than 25 coordinated campaign offices in Arizona and Nevada alone. These offices house over 220 full-time staff who are dedicated to driving voter participation.
For instance, in Nevada, the campaign prides itself on operating the largest in-state strategy any coordinated campaign has ever adopted. It includes 13 offices and nearly 100 staff members on the ground. The campaign has experienced an unprecedented volunteer surge, with over 600 volunteers signing up in just the first few hours of Vice President Kamala Harris announcing her presidential campaign.
Arizona is witnessing a similar scene with 12 coordinated offices and plans for six more, making it the most significant number in the state’s history. Here too, the campaign has hired more than 120 full-time staff with offices spread across the state. Since the announcement of Harris’ candidacy, the campaign has seen an overwhelming number of volunteers sign up to support the movement.
The Need for a Ground Game
As the Harris-Walz campaign demonstrates, having a robust ground operation in key battleground states is crucial. It enables politicians to connect with voters personally and encourage them to vote. Trump’s reliance on outside groups for his ground game could be a critical factor influencing the election’s outcome—especially if the race remains tight.
If Trump fails to develop an effective voter turnout strategy, the Republican Party could be heading for an unanticipated crisis. The situation puts the party at risk, not just for this election but also for its future political success in these battleground states. The necessity of a well-orchestrated ground game is a lesson political parties cannot afford to ignore.