Dueling Events
Next Wednesday, CNN is hosting what they had hoped would be a crown jewel of election coverage…a GOP debate in Iowa just a few days before the caucus. After the Republican National Committee loosened its death grip on such events, far too late, CNN was first to jump in with its own overly-narrow set of criteria.
Under those silly rules, only Trump, DeSantis, and Haley would qualify. DeSantis and Haley agreed to participate, and agreed to participate in separate town halls on CNN this week.
Trump opted not to attend, which would be consistent with his pattern this election cycle so far.
But in true Trump fashion, rather than simply decline, the world knew he was declining the CNN debate when Fox News announced it would moderate a live town hall with Trump, also from Des Moines…and at the very same time as the CNN event.
Which do you think the average caucus-goer would rather watch…a CNN debate between DeSantis and Haley as they battle for second…or a Fox town hall with nothing but Trump?
Some on social media have criticized Trump for the move…but if I’m his adviser, I’m all in on this strategy. Why lower yourself to the level of the rest of the field? Why subject yourself to a fatal mistake, which often happens in such a limited format?
Cruising to victory isn’t the right strategy…but he’s out there, making intimate personal appearances in places like Boone, Sioux Center, and Cherokee…and doing TV in a format that suits him.
Totally understand why the non-Trump folks are not happy…but it’s hard to argue with what’s been working for a candidate poised to set a record for highest support in Iowa Caucus history.
