Posted on 11/23/2015 1:28:11 PM PST by Red Steel
FORT DODGE, Iowa -- Every one to two weeks, Donald Trump descends into an Iowa town for one of his signature campaign rallies. But behind the big crowds of supporters is a campaign machine of staffers and volunteers that has built a formidable network...
The reach of the team's work is evident at its campaign rallies in the Hawkeye State...
...Steven said he got to personally know one of Trump's ground organizers, Chris Hupke, who oversees primarily the northwest region of the state for the campaign.
"He's probably around five times [more than] anyone from the other campaigns," Steven said. "He calls up just to see how...He's a good guy."
Hupke told NBC News that his focus is teaching would-be backers about the caucus process.
"It's all about the caucus and getting people educated and to understand what it means to caucus. And then following up..."
While Trump has campaigned in the major metropolitan areas of the state, the campaign has also targeted Fort Dodge-like events in smaller towns, including Newton (13,000 population), Oskaloosa (10,000) and Winterset (5,000).
"The fact that he's making the effort to come to Fort Dodge -- it makes you feel like you count...
"He actually put an effort to see a small town in Iowa," said Zach Sukovaty, 20. "Yeah, he may go to the big cities where there's a lot more people, but if he jumps around to small towns,...
In Fort Dodge alone, the campaign enlisted 40 volunteers...
Amid that conversation, Kim Hefty, 57, a farmer who drove 45 minutes from Bradgate for the event,...She is a lifelong Democrat who voted for Barack Obama...
"It gets to the point where it's about the person, not the party anymore," Hefty said. "I think Donald talks the talk and walks the
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
“Uh, you do realize I was being sarcastic?”
Of. Course I knew it. I was joining you in sarcasm; that’s why there is a slash s (/s) at the end of my first sentence. However, for the unseasoned reader of FR, I highly recommend that you use /s too, so there is no confusion as to your intent. I agree with everything you said. Toodles.
yeah, i’m always torn about using the sarc tag. it tends to take away from the sarcasm, though if the sarcasm is TOO subtle then it’s probably necessary since the world is now so insane subtle sarcasm doesn’t even look like sarcasm anymore.
They’re no slouches.
********************
Without revealing your personal preference, do you think that anyone can beat the ground
game of Cruz? Never having lived in a caucus state I do understand that it takes an major
effort on the part of a candidate’s supporters to get a win at the caucus events.
I’m not shy about sharing my “preference.” I prefer none of them. They all hold to public policy positions that violate principles that I consider to be non-negotiable.
At the same time, I know quite well that those who hold to my position are in a tiny political minority, as things now stand.
About all I can say as an honest objective observer, though, is that the staff and organizations of both Trump and Cruz are superior in Iowa.
I think Cruz will be very successful at turning out the rank and file of the “conservative” GOP, beefed up with a substantial portion of the so-called “Liberty” faction.
But I expect the Trump turnout to be similar to the turnouts of Buchanan in ‘96 and Paul in ‘12, except on steroids. I think a whole lot of normally-not-that-political folks who wouldn’t usually participate in the GOP process are going to show up and nearly overwhelm the Republican caucus locations.
That’s my best guess based on experience and observation about the current conditions on the ground.
Thanks for your response. I know it takes effort to get people other than the most
dedicated to attend the caucuses and spend a couple hours. That’s why I was asking for
your take on how things may evolve.
Again thanks....
Trump can suck in liv’s. Now.thats a big tent the gope cannot abide
You’re welcome.
The electorate has been conditioned these many decades now to vote by what they feel; instead of what they think.
Thanks; Madison Avenue!
Sadly, I think that’s true, in large degree.
Trump has had a great ground game going all along. In fact, thy have been on it since day 1.
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