Staff ReportsFormer President Donald Trump’s campaign is facing a rather amusing predicament: a bunch of his buddies on Capitol Hill and K Street are privately fretting about his recent travel itinerary, and how it might be turning what should be a cakewalk into a nail-biter as Election Day looms closer. With recent polling showing Trump deadlocked with Vice President Kamala Harris at 47%, the question now is whether he’ll spend the next month traversing blue states like a lost tourist or return his attention to battlegrounds that really matter.
In the prize battleground state of Pennsylvania, where every vote is critical, Harris is enjoying a slim lead of 50% to 46%. To put that in perspective, it’s like trying to win a boxing match with one hand tied behind your back. Trump responded by taking a detour to Long Island for a rally, where even the locals could probably use some convincing that switching the political tide is a viable option. Meanwhile, Grandma’s election bingo board may be filling up quickly if Trump doesn’t devote more time to turning red states redder.
Trump urged to home in on swing states as some Republicans worry about 2024 chances ~ https://t.co/YItgrTFdhE
— MikeKirby (@mikekirbyone) September 23, 2024
Trump’s itinerary included a whirlwind visit to his golf club in California, where he had no qualms about branding Harris as a communist and laying out California’s supposed misery at the feet of liberal governance. While enjoying the sun, he is also tossing around the idea of claiming victory on issues like antisemitism. However, some in the GOP wonder if a campaign consulting firm might be more effective than just free donuts at a rally. According to Senator Kevin Cramer, the overwhelming majority of effort should focus on swing states—99 out of 100 times, if he has to put a number on it.
While some loyalists are cheering on his cross-country escapades, others are wincing at the strategy. Senator Cynthia Lummis seems relatively unfazed, reading Trump’s busy schedule as a sign of energy and necessity rather than a distraction. But time isn’t on the former president’s side; those early mail-in ballots have already started rolling out, and the need to hammer home the Biden-Harris administration’s record on pressing issues like inflation and border security is paramount.
Rising frustration among Republicans is palpable, particularly regarding Trump’s questionable comments regarding the Jewish community and those pesky distractions that follow him like a shadow. One consultant mentions that the “blame game” is not how one wins over potential voters—after all, if he believes the Jewish community holds the key to his defeat, then he may just be sowing discord instead of healing. This is a strategic gaffe that even the most loyal of Trump supporters can’t sweep under the rug, especially as the campaign is struggling to keep its eye on the prize.
Despite the nervous chatter within the party’s ranks, Trump remains buoyed by a better political landscape than Harris and a general dislike for the current administration. The race is certainly winnable—if he can just focus on making Harris wear the ugly sweater that is the Biden administration’s failure while keeping his wardrobe clean and sharp. The reality now is that convincing voters has taken a back seat to simply getting them to show up on Election Day. As the campaign gears up for the final sprint, the hope remains that Trump can channel his signature flair into a focused message that resonates with those crucial swing state voters.
