Staff Reports
In a week filled with political shenanigans, the Trump campaign faced an unexpected hiccup when a staffer suggested that the former president was all but packing his bags for New Hampshire. The eyebrow-raising comments didn’t sit well with campaign leadership, and that particular staffer was swiftly shown the door. The drama unfolded with Tom Mountain, a former Massachusetts GOP official who has had more than his fair share of controversial moments on social media—if only he had known the fallout was this serious, he might have chosen his words more wisely.
Mountain’s email to volunteers sent shockwaves, declaring that New Hampshire was no longer considered a battleground state and insinuating that Trump was “sure to lose by an even higher margin” than he did in prior elections. It appears that Mountain mistook his email for a game of solitaire, as he also claimed that high-profile visits from Trump and others would be a no-show. Apparently, he thought everyone could just wave goodbye to the Granite State and focus elsewhere, with resources drying up faster than the proverbial desert.
A Donald Trump campaign volunteer warned that New Hampshire was "no longer a battleground state" in an email. https://t.co/SuRqURetuQ
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) September 3, 2024
The Trump campaign wasted no time in responding. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, sounding the clarion call of any good campaign warrior, publicly disavowed Mountain’s disastrous predictions. She made it crystal clear that the campaign wasn’t going anywhere, maintaining a robust presence in New Hampshire complete with staff and offices, a stark contrast to the antics of some other politicians. Unlike Kamala Harris, who seems to be making last-minute fly-ins as if New Hampshire were a tourist destination, Trump’s campaign is digging in for the long haul.
Leavitt’s assertive remarks highlighted the contrasting strategies of the Trump campaign versus the Democrats, who seem to be floundering in the political waters. Just as Harris is set to swoop into the state, the Trump team is gearing up to deliver a solid ground game that promises to turn the tide in their favor. The anticipatory optimism is palpable, particularly with November looming on the horizon.
Recent polling data, while slightly fluctuating, shows that New Hampshire remains competitive. A June poll gave Trump a razor-thin lead over President Biden, and early indications suggest that it could be anyone’s game. However, with Biden having stepped back from the race and handing the reins to Harris, the landscape has shifted. Some surveys are already indicating a slight edge for Harris, further emphasizing the uphill battle ahead. As each side gears up for the final stretch, it’s clear that New Hampshire is anything but a lost cause for Trump. The result? A campaign that continues to double down, ready to contest every last vote in the Granite State.
