Humid and hot. Over 110 degrees on the pavement. Yet still, thousands of people waited in line. Our team showed up around 2 pm and people were already there for a 7 pm event. Working a Trump rally is like a poll/focus group rolled into one. And going from one Trump rally to the next is like a tracking poll.
In general, when comparing this rally to those he had around the state in 2016 I observed the following: An uptick of young people and minorities, an intense dislike against the Governor that did not exist before. An uptick in the diversity ratio of white-collar and blue-collar types attending. Polo shirts and Tattoos seamlessly co-mingled together in the long and snaking line that went on and on. More name recognition of other Republican candidates than in the past.
Our team of volunteers stickered the line from 2 to 6 pm. Could have kept going, but we noticed while walking the line, that the later the day got, more out of state people from Virginia were showing up. Felt bad for a lot of them, as the event venue sold out and we watched at least 3K or so people waiting in line for an event that was already full. Trump people might want to walk the lines once they know the event is full and send them home. I get the PR value of having lines outside, but I felt for some of those people in the heat standing with no chance of getting in. But I digress.
Saw a few statewide candidates working the lines. Surprised to not see them all doing so. Not sure when a better time to campaign exists than when 20 to 30k people line up in a single file and walk past a stationary point and allow you to shake each person’s hand individually, but what do I know?
Side editorial comment: How you campaign is how you will govern.
Dan, of course, worked the lines like a boss. Alice was working the lines too. Great feedback. Lots of excitement. You can judge that by the photo requests and selfies, etc. Wish we could have worked the lines even longer but he had to go in and change out of his soaking wet shirt and put on the suit and tie so he could greet the President backstage, which is a nice protocol thing the White House does since Dan is the highest-ranking Republican state official. Dan got a small shout out from POTUS during his speech – which is always a plus. Good day overall. Posted a few pics from the event – digital analytics thru the roof. Don’t believe anything any liberal media outlet says about Trump’s chances in NC in 2020. Attend a rally and you will figure it out. It is that obvious. He is very very strong.
