Is It Too Early for Trump to Focus Relentlessly on Key Swing States?

In today’s Morning Jolt, I spit-balled a strategy to at least get Trump back in the game.

To have any shot, Trumps got to win four states: North Carolina, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

They supposedly had a great fundraising month. Get TV ads on the air in every market in those four states, as many slots as they can afford. Send out fundraising emails to keep the ads airing.

Then campaign in those states relentlessly. Out-hustle Clinton’s campaign. Show that Trump works harder than she does. Multiple rallies and events per day. Do local newscasts, local talk radio, Go to Reds games, Indians games, Pirates games, Marlins and Rays games, hold rallies in college football towns on Saturday mornings.

(A reader pointed out that North Carolina has minor-league baseball teams that can make convenient backdrops for events.)

If it wasn’t too late, I’d say go to state fairs or county fairs. Kiss the babies, pose for the selfies, slap the backs. Go to Hershey and have a picture taking a bite out of the five pound chocolate bar. Look like you’re having fun. Look like you love this country, the people in it, and you can’t get enough of them. Hug people. Show warmth. Remember, the line in the convention speech that worked was “instead of ‘I’m With Her,’ my slogan is, ‘I’m with you, the people.’”

You’ve got four states and three big assets: Donald, Ivanka, and Pence. Have each one in each of those four states from now until Election Day, other than during debate prep. Go beyond the big cities and swing counties. Flatter the voters you need by coming to them.

If Trump can make the swing states look competitive, the national numbers will move. He won’t look like such a sure loser. There will be a bandwagon effect instead of a death spiral.

There’s time, but not much time. The first presidential debate is September 26; people are much less likely to tune in if they think the race is already over. Early in-person voting starts October 12 in Ohio, October 27 in North Carolina, and October 29 in Florida.

Trump’s schedule continues to send him to states far beyond these big four. Trump’s in North Carolina today, Michigan tomorrow, Virginia Saturday, Ohio Monday and then on Wednesday… Jackson, Mississippi.