President Trump and Joe Biden are keeping campaign field operations grounded indefinitely even as some battleground states reopen businesses and transition to a normal social footing after several weeks under coronavirus lockdown.
The Republican National Committee manages voter turnout for the Trump campaign. Officials say the RNC has no plans to deploy field staff to knock on doors or hold in-person events in states, such as crucial battleground Florida, that are gradually reopening their economies. The Biden campaign confirmed the presumptive Democratic nominee also would extend his reliance on virtual voter outreach strategies adopted in mid-March when the pandemic halted traditional political activity.
“We are continuing with our virtual operation,” RNC spokesman Mike Reed told the Washington Examiner. “We’ll reassess in a month or so.”
Biden campaign spokesman Michael Gwin said the former vice president would be “guided by science” and an advisory committee he assembled to keep tabs on the coronavirus as he determines the course of efforts to win the White House. “As the country continues to cope with the current health crisis, the Biden campaign is using every tool at our disposal and innovating to communicate our message to the American people,” Gwin said.
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Around two-dozen states are in the process of lifting mandated business closures. Depending on the state, the shift allows residents to return to restaurants, fitness centers, hair salons, and retail stores, albeit with social distancing guidelines. Among the states engaged in a multiphase reopening are Arizona, where Trump headed Tuesday to tour a manufacturing plant, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. All of them qualify as either competitive or targeted by campaigns.
But the Trump and Biden campaigns are playing it safe, as is the Democratic National Committee, sticking with the virtual tools each developed once the coronavirus put rallies, town hall meetings, and grassroots organizing on ice.
The RNC is satisfied with a vigorous program that utilizes text messaging and videoconferencing to reach voters and train volunteers. The Trump campaign airs a nightly slate of live, online broadcasts that some political operatives refer to as “Trump TV.” Campaign officials said they are pleased with the results. Each garners an average of more than 1 million viewers. A recent program featuring Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle was viewed by 2.45 million people.
The DNC claims similar success with its virtual apparatus. “We will continue to utilize whatever tactic is most appropriate and complies with the best health and safety standards,” spokesman David Bergstein said.
Just under six months before Election Day, with deaths and job losses mounting from the coronavirus, Vice President Mike Pence revealed plans to disband the White House pandemic task force by month’s end. Meanwhile, Trump told reporters: “The people of our country should think of themselves as warriors. Our country has to open.” But the opinions of Republican activists are mixed.
In Texas, a red state Democrats hope to make competitive, the demand is high for a return to politics as usual, explained Brendan Steinhauser, a Republican operative in Austin. For example, county GOP conventions canceled in March because of the coronavirus are being rescheduled for this month, he said. The Travis County GOP convention is scheduled for May 30.
But in Georgia, another red state Democrats are targeting, GOP consultant Ryan Williams said grassroots Republicans are content to continue campaigning virtually. “There’s been a hesitation to move forward with [in-person] grassroots activities,” said Williams, who is based in Atlanta.
In Florida, some Republican officials are looking for hybrid solutions.
Linda Trocine, chairman of the Seminole County GOP, said virtual programs implemented by the RNC and the Trump campaign have been effective. But with her state opening up, Trocine said she was organizing a gathering, similar to drive-in churches or the recent boat parade of Trump supporters in South Florida, that would satisfy health concerns while still allowing for a public show of support for the president.
“I have a plan for an event in June that will respect social distancing and still get people together,” she said. “We’re adapting. We’re going to find away.”
