Welcome to From the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.In today’s edition, Monica Alba and Garrett Haake dig into a last-minute shift in President Donald Trump’s packed campaign schedule.Plus, Megan Brand has the latest on the Alaska Senate saga.
— Adam WollnerTrump shifts rally strategy in the campaign’s final daysBy Monica Alba and Garrett HaakePresident Donald Trump’s rally in Salina, Kansas, on Saturday has been canceled, according to two White House officials and a GOP source.He had been scheduled to hold a midday event at the regional airport but that is no longer happening.Instead, the president is aiming to hold “more than 20” tele-rallies between now and Tuesday, the White House officials said.This is a notable shift in strategy.
Up until now, Trump has argued his in-person visits have been boosting turnout for Republican candidates and has repeatedly boasted about his heavy travel this month.As Peter Nicholas noted, Trump, 80, had been campaigning at a frenzied pace in the final stretch before Election Day.As of Wednesday, Trump had traveled on 22 of 28 days in October, appearing in a total of 19 states.
He returned after midnight seven different times and, after a Western swing, got back to the White House after 4 a.m.And his rally remarks over the period averaged 1 ½ hours.
No decision has been made yet on whether Trump will keep his Dubuque, Iowa, rally on Sunday, according to one of the officials.They described this change in schedule as a “shotgun approach” to hitting as many competitive races as possible in the home stretch.“President Trump will continue connecting directly with Americans nationwide through more than 20 tele-rallies before Election Day.
These events give him the opportunity to highlight his accomplishments and expand his reach across the country,” one of the White House offi...