Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop
Josh Marshall had an interesting post the other day where he said that there are really two Trump campaigns. One is basically Trump himself, although Laura Loomer is along for the ride this week. He does his appearances and the debate and calls into Fox and other people (with the other campaign) may try to tell him what to say and what not to say, but good luck with that, because he's just doing his thing. It works to get his base excited, maybe, but.
The other campaign is the one run by his campaign managers, who are trying to run a more traditional campaign with TV spots, other advertising, a ground game, etc. Their efforts are focused on the swing states, so if you live somewhere else, you may not see them as much. They are very focused on talking about immigration and the economy, and on trying to avoid the issue of abortion. Trump himself does not always play along, which is of course a problem.
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I'd say there's an overt effort by his campaign in Rust Belt states, which are not socially conservative or "in the cult," like the deep red states, to say, "Don't listen to him... Just pay attention to the economic policies." The pitch is effective, because no one in PA likes anything about him, but it does like his energy and economic policies.
However, it has limitations. That debate embarrassment is a bridge too far for many pocketbook voters. Even the most coldly rational tax voters I know had a "WTF was that?" reaction. The cats and dogs thing can never be unseen. If there were any question Trump and Vance were weird going into the debate, it's now settled.
I didn't watch much of it, but I did happen thru the family room while my wife had it on and I heard the comment live. The thing was surreal. For a moment. Then there's the shrug... "That's right. I forgot. He's fucking crazy."
