Winning at the Rules Game

… In the gauzy, “West Wing” TV version of politics, campaigns are won with compelling speeches, dazzling debate performances and perfectly crafted campaign ads. In reality, campaigns are won on grit, endurance and attention to detail. And luck. To win the nomination for president, a campaign must be able to chart a path to the number of delegates needed to win. Period.

For all the baggage that Trump brings to the 2024 contest, he does bring more experience — and importantly — more experienced political hands to this primary than he did to 2016. The rag-tag campaign team of eight years ago has been replaced by seasoned political operatives like Chris LaCivita, a former NRSC political director and no-holds-barred political brawler, and Florida-based GOP strategist Susie Wiles, who led Trump’s efforts in the Sunshine state in 2016 and 2020 and has a more expansive role this time around.

In 2016, Trump won despite his campaign’s disorganization. This time around, his campaign’s organization is what may propel him to the nomination. CONTINUED

Amy Walter, Cook Political Report with Amy Walter


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