A Tale of Two Campaigns
Although we have had several mailings the last few weeks, it has been a while since we have received any from Perry Johnson or the DeSantis Super PAC. One was struggling to make the debate stage; the other was taking a beating in the media. One was struggling for people to even know his campaign exists; the other was getting all the wrong attention.
Their mailings show how they are dealing with their own realities of their campaigns.
The Perry Johnson mailing is all about making the debate stage requirements. Lots of donors and enough recognition in enough polls are the general requirements. The Johnson campaign has achieved the donor requirement recently, but is still struggling in the polls. That is a hard sell when name recognition is low.
The debate is about two weeks away. Feels strange to put the requirements of making the debate stage in the hands of companies that could just stop running polls and doom candidates like Johnson, Hurd, Suarez, and Elder to the sidelines. But even if they didn't, some of these candidates are going to find it hard to reach these poll numbers.
Meanwhile, the DeSantis campaign is attempting to re-introduce their candidate to voters. This type of thing happens in elections a lot when you have such a large field of candidates. One or two candidates get a quick burst out of the door and then everyone else starts attacking them and then their campaign struggles.
If this struggle was later in the election cycle, such as after debates or right before the voting starts next year, then I would be worried. But we are still early and several campaigns are going to have ups and downs over the next couple months.
Candidates are just beginning their visits to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. And after the fair ends, the first debate will take place. After the debate, the polls will become a little more interesting.
Snail Mail Totals So Far
10 - Never Back Down, Inc. (Pro-DeSantis)
5 - Opportunity Matters Fund, Inc. (Pro-Scott)
5 - Perry Johnson for President Inc.
4 - Make America Great Again (Pro-Trump / Anti-DeSantis)
4 - Best of America PAC (Pro-Burgum)
3 - AFP Action (Anti-Trump)
1 - Doug Burgum for America
1 - SFA Fund, Inc. (Pro-Haley)
Their mailings show how they are dealing with their own realities of their campaigns.
The Perry Johnson mailing is all about making the debate stage requirements. Lots of donors and enough recognition in enough polls are the general requirements. The Johnson campaign has achieved the donor requirement recently, but is still struggling in the polls. That is a hard sell when name recognition is low.
The debate is about two weeks away. Feels strange to put the requirements of making the debate stage in the hands of companies that could just stop running polls and doom candidates like Johnson, Hurd, Suarez, and Elder to the sidelines. But even if they didn't, some of these candidates are going to find it hard to reach these poll numbers.
Meanwhile, the DeSantis campaign is attempting to re-introduce their candidate to voters. This type of thing happens in elections a lot when you have such a large field of candidates. One or two candidates get a quick burst out of the door and then everyone else starts attacking them and then their campaign struggles.
If this struggle was later in the election cycle, such as after debates or right before the voting starts next year, then I would be worried. But we are still early and several campaigns are going to have ups and downs over the next couple months.
Candidates are just beginning their visits to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. And after the fair ends, the first debate will take place. After the debate, the polls will become a little more interesting.
Snail Mail Totals So Far
10 - Never Back Down, Inc. (Pro-DeSantis)
5 - Opportunity Matters Fund, Inc. (Pro-Scott)
5 - Perry Johnson for President Inc.
4 - Make America Great Again (Pro-Trump / Anti-DeSantis)
4 - Best of America PAC (Pro-Burgum)
3 - AFP Action (Anti-Trump)
1 - Doug Burgum for America
1 - SFA Fund, Inc. (Pro-Haley)