Midterm Strategy: Trump swaps in-person rallies for virtual broadcasts
The President cancels stops in Iowa and Kansas, launching a 72-hour series of tele-rallies as polls show Democrats ahead in key races.
By Grace Anderson ·
Donald Trump has canceled his scheduled in-person rallies in Iowa and Kansas, replacing them with a series of virtual broadcasts in the final days before the November 3 midterm elections. The change comes with less than five days remaining until voters head to the polls.
The Republican National Committee confirmed the cancellations on Thursday. Chairman Joe Gruters stated that the virtual appearances will reach more voters than physical stops could in such a short timeframe. He described the plan as a 72-hour sprint designed to boost the party in the closing days of the campaign.
The tele-rallies will be broadcast to nearly 20 states. This includes competitive Senate races in Michigan, Alaska, Texas, and Iowa. The RNC indicated that additional events may be announced in the coming days. Trump will still hold an in-person rally on Friday in Daytona Beach, Florida, which is approximately 200 miles from his Mar-a-Lago resort.
The stakes for this election are high for the President. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress. They control 53 of 100 Senate seats and 218 of 435 House seats. All House seats are up for election this cycle, while only about one-third of Senate seats are on the ballot.
Trump has expressed concern that Democrats may pursue a third impeachment if they win majorities in both chambers. He has urged voters to pretend he is on the ballot to motivate his base. However, forecasters give Democrats a strong advantage. Harvard University’s ElectIt model estimates a 94 percent chance that Democrats will take control of the House.
The race in Kansas is particularly tight. Republican Senator Roger Marshall faces Democrat Adam Hamilton, a pastor. CNN released a poll on Thursday showing Hamilton leading with 49 percent support compared to Marshall’s 45 percent. Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932.
Trump’s health became a topic of discussion after he appeared with bruised hands recently. During a press interaction in South Carolina on Thursday, a Reuters reporter asked how he was feeling after extensive travel. Trump initially avoided the question, saying he expected a strong Tuesday night for Republicans. When the reporter suggested the canceled Kansas trip might be due to fatigue, Trump became irate. He called the question sick and told the reporter to put himself in shape.
The President added that he did not feel he had to go to Salina, Kansas, as originally planned. He stated that he feels perfect after traveling for two weeks. The virtual strategy allows him to address voters in multiple states simultaneously without the physical strain of cross-country travel.
