The Trump campaign in New Hampshire recently showcased a new tactic marked by extreme pettiness. During a Fourth of July parade, two over-eager staffers, Trevor Naglieri and Dylan Quattrucci, went against instructions and attempted to cut to the front of the parade line in a crucial state exemplifies the kind of pettiness that has become a defining characteristic.
As noted by The Daily Beast, this incident is not isolated, as Trump’s campaign has been marked by similar provocations, disorganized operations, and lackluster engagement with crucial events, raising doubts about their ability to win in New Hampshire and suggesting they may be coasting along without a clear strategy.
Furthermore, reports indicate that Trump’s volunteers frequently engage in arguments with undecided voters and Republicans supporting other campaigns while canvassing door-to-door. This behavior of picking fights and alienating people has drawn criticism from within the New Hampshire Republican circles.
Comparisons have been made to the more cordial interactions among other candidates’ supporters, such as Tim Scott, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Will Hurd. It seems that Trump’s team lacks the ability to maintain positive relationships even when others have differing opinions.
Despite these issues, Trump’s significant lead in polls may mitigate the impact for now. However, rival campaigns have an opportunity to catch up and surpass Trump in field organizing, given the amateurish nature of his operation and the lack of investment from him and his closest competitor, Ron DeSantis.
Local Republicans who previously supported Trump in 2016 and 2020 have become frustrated with the campaign’s performance. Confusion prevails regarding the decision-making process for the Trump campaign in New Hampshire, leading local event organizers and donors to lose confidence in the former president.
Additionally, concerns have been raised about the lack of experienced New Hampshire personnel involved. In the long run, these factors could prove to be detrimental to Trump’s prospects in the state.
The Trump campaign’s approach in New Hampshire has been characterized by a lack of organization and a reliance on an unpaid volunteer structure called “town captains” to manage voter outreach initiatives. This ad hoc system has been likened to a “Ponzi scheme” by one of Trump’s former top advisers. But despite the frustration and confusion caused by Trump’s operation in New Hampshire, few believe that these issues will significantly harm his prospects—at least for now.
Read more at The Daily Beast.
