So, Will Donald Trump Build Effective State ‘Ground Games’ – Unlike In Iowa?

Associated Press
Associated Press

Perhaps you have heard or read that Donald Trump has admitted that he did not really spend a lot of time or effort in trying to build an effective “ground game” for getting his supporters to the Iowa caucuses to actually cast votes for him.

The Washington Post article mentions that at one point the Trump campaign entertained the idea of using rVotes software for running its get-out-the-vote “ground game,” but never followed through. It’s still not too late to begin using rVotes.

Yes, Donald Trump told his supporters, at his public appearances, that they needed to make sure they actually attended the caucuses – and that was a very good thing to do.

As I heard him say, “Otherwise, what’s the point?” Some candidates do not stress voting and do not plead with their supporters that they actually go vote. Those who fail to do this are making a mistake, in my view. But, even when a candidate, like Donald Trump, makes these pleas, they must also understand that not every voter will hear those speeches or even that particular snippet from the speeches – it may not make it into the news cycle.

Here is an article I wrote last fall that links to another article that lays out a simple strategy for getting his supporters to actually go vote for him.

Maybe you already know about these wonderful, politically-astute, politically-informed, internet-savvy ladies, Diamond and Silk, also known on their YouTube channel as “The Viewers View.”

Here they are explaining what really needed to happen for “Donald J. Trump” to win the Iowa Republican caucuses:

Here is the link to their “Ditch and Switch Now” web site: http://www.diamondandsilkinc.com/how-to-switch Please go there.

Listen to these ladies. Study what they have to say. Then:

  1. Make sure you are registered to vote.
  2. Vote in the primary (or caucus, depending upon your state; The Green Papers will inform you if your political party will not).
  3. Become a “voting member” of your local political party committee.
  4. Become a delegate to your political party’s state convention.

Keep in mind that only about 20 percent of Republicans in Iowa, typically, participate in the caucuses. This year, about 25.6 percent turned out. But, still, about three-fourths of Iowa’s registered Republicans did not think it was worth their time to participate in the political process by voting.

Let that sink in.

So, Donald Trump did some very good things. He told his supporters during his speeches that they needed to actually go caucus. He set up on his campaign web site a “caucus finder” for his supporters to find the location of their caucus meeting. And he had the help of Diamond and Silk. But, that was not enough. What he really needed was a “ground game” of volunteers making targeted phone calls and door visits to likely Trump supporters to gently urge them to actually go to their caucus meetings.

He still has time to build these ground games in every state and what he needs to coordinate the volunteers is very good, easy to use, web-based, get-out-the-vote campaign software, such as rVotes.

And, the best place for conservatives to be to change the Republican Party and make it “more conservative” is by getting “inside” it where you live. Go here to learn more. Follow the links, please.

Does Donald Trump have a ground game for getting out the vote in New Hampshire? According to this article, he does:

State Rep. Steve Stepanek, co-chairman of Trump’s New Hampshire campaign, said their operation is “primarily focused on the phone campaign” and turning out “low-propensity voters” who typically do not show up for Republican primaries.

“We differ, because everyone is focused on likely Republican voters,” Stepanek said. “We are focused on low propensity voters because they are not somebody who is normally on anybody’s radar screens. But we look at our polls and we are so strong in that area. Those are the people who are very angry. We’re focused on getting those people motivated.”

Focusing on the “low-propensity voters” is a very good thing. This ground game sounds good.

Will it work? Depending upon how many voter contacts are made, it could very well cause Donald Trump to win in New Hampshire. The only voters who matter are those who actually vote.

Time will tell.

Thank you.

Dan Schultz

Daniel J. Schultz graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1978 and served as an Army Human Intelligence Officer. He now practices law. He has been a Republican Party precinct committeeman since 2007 and was a co-winner of the Conservative HQ Liberty Prize based on his e-book Taking Back Your Government: The Neighborhood Precinct Committeeman Strategy. State-specific and other information relating to The Neighborhood Precinct Committeeman Strategy can be found at http://theprecinctproject.wordpress.com. Mr. Schultz can be reached at acoldwarrior@gmail.com.

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