Let’s Dispel Another Mainstream Media Myth About the Trump Campaign
One of the biggest false arguments many #NeverTrumpers use to say the Republican presidential nominee isn’t serious about his campaign is his “lack of ground game.”
Without a substantial army of on-the ground staffers, he can’t possibly hope to win the November election against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. But a new fundraising email from RNC Chairman Reince Priebus dispels that myth pretty thoroughly.
He wrote:
I am 100% committed to helping elect Donald Trump as our next president.
Now I need grassroots leaders like you—the men and women who have done so much for our Party in the past—working by my side.
The fate of all of our Republican candidates—and our country—lies in your hands, Friend.
After speaking with Mr. Trump, we’ve set an aggressive goal to raise $20 million over the next 30 days for our Grassroots Victory Fund to turn out voters nationwide …
Friend, I want you to be fully aware of how the RNC has been making key investments and working to help elect Trump president and preserve our House and Senate majorities.
Take a look at this chart, outlining the strides we’ve made for a big win this November.
The chart shows the on-the-ground staff numbers in several key “battleground states,” comparing the staffing level for 2012 with the current staffing level. Here’s what it looks like:
- Arizona: 0 in 2012, 29 in 2016
- Colorado: 46 in 2012, 159 in 2016
- Florida: 84 in 2012, 1,040 in 2016
- Georgia: 0 in 2012, 40 in 2016
- Iowa: 35 in 2012, 118 in 2016
- Michigan: 33 in 2012, 343 in 2016
- North Carolina: 61 in 2012, 657 in 2016
- New Hampshire: 27 in 2012, 162 in 2016
- Nevada: 41 in 2012, 148 in 2016
- Ohio: 79 in 2012, 443 in 2016
- Pennsylvania: 56 in 2012, 392 in 2016
- Virginia: 70 in 2012, 223 in 2016
- Wisconsin: 44 in 2012, 149 in 2016
In all, the RNC and Trump campaign have more than 6,000 paid staff and trained volunteers operating in 33 states, with “millions” of additional grassroots volunteers throughout the country. Door-knocking efforts have 4.4 million homes, as well.
