The Trump Campaign Experience – Electrifying

When this 2016 Presidential cycle wraps up, the political gurus might have to rewrite the book on how campaigns are run. In the past, most candidates have focused on getting political endorsements, raising lots of money, and running slick campaign ads on radio and TV. They’re usually heavily scripted and cautious on the campaign trail.
The 2016 Trump campaign may be re-writing the rulebook. It has spent far less money than other major campaigns. Most of the campaign funds are actually coming from the sale of Trump gear. Aside from some radio ads in the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, most of the advertising has been shared on Facebook and Twitter, where Trump has more than 5 million followers on each medium.
As for spontaneity, Trump is in a league of his own. He never uses a teleprompter or speaks from prepared remarks. He says what’s on his mind and speaks directly to the crowd. He’s never tethered to the chain of political correctness.
I had the opportunity to lead the audience in the pledge of allegiance at a recent event in Myrtle Beach. The campaign sends out event notifications to supporters via e-mail and has them register on Eventbrite. Like many events in the Trump campaign, so many people committed to attending that it was moved to a larger venue. More than 8,000 people attended at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, according to WBTW-TV.
Most of the 6,000 seats were filled by 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. event. Thousands stood for hours to participate. The front rows were reserved for veterans, ranging from Korea to Wounded Warriors from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The audience was extremely diverse and included very few from the Republican Party hierarchy.
Unlike candidates, I will not mention, who have produced TV ads in which their audience doesn’t seem excited to be there, Trump supporters are electrified. During the two-hour buildup to his on-stage appearance, Trump supporters ranging from Veterans in their 80s to high school students were dancing to rock music and waving Trump signs. Some of the creative hand-made signs in Myrtle Beach read “Trump – Build the Wall” and “You’re Hired!”
Trump goes onstage without receiving platitudes from politicians. He slowly moves toward the podium, frequently pausing to wave to the crowd. At the Myrtle Beach event, he was accompanied by his wife Melania and his children, who took their seats before he was introduced.
Aside from Newt Gingrich during the 2012 election cycle, Trump is the only candidate I have seen who will taunt the media. He pointed to the TV cameras and said, “70 percent of these reporters are scum — incredibly dishonest people.” He brought a Washington Post article from Sept. 18, 2001, which verified that Muslims were questioned by police for celebrating on rooftops after the Twin Towers were destroyed by hijacked aircraft. Most of the media claimed that Trump made up that story.
He also refuted the media narrative that he wanted a registry of all Muslims in America. He never said that — a reporter suggested it in a “gotcha” multi-faceted question at an event in Iowa. Trump has said that specific mosques, which are under suspicion of encouraging terrorist activity, should be subject to surveillance, which is permitted under our first Amendment. People don’t have the right to shout “Fire!” in a crowded theater or to destroy property during a protest.
Some of the other well-received messages from the Myrtle Beach appearance were his support for an orderly legal immigration process, the need to protect gun ownership rights, renegotiating trade agreements, that have hurt American workers and his sincere appreciation for police, other law enforcement officers and our Veterans.
Another position that is admired by Trump supporters is that he doesn’t have to beg special interest groups for money. He makes it clear that when he takes office, he won’t owe anyone favors. Millions have been spent against the Trump campaign by groups which favor Amnesty for illegal aliens and the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which is expected to displace millions of American workers.
One of the unique aspects of the Trump campaign is that all of his appearances are videotaped and made available at www.TrumpStump2016.com. He has an event scheduled at Trump Tower in which he will have a dialogue with more than 100 African-American pastors. This campaign is a refreshing departure from the politics of the past.
John Steinberger is the former chairman of the Charleston County Republican Party, a leading Fair Tax advocate, and a West Ashley resident. He can be reached at John.steinberger@scfairtax.org.