Phil Ammann
July 4 may mean a day off for most Americans, but not so for National Republicans.
In a campaign memo, the Republican National Committee announced it is using the holiday as the “next phase in its ground game strategy” – with a series of events happening at the earliest time in several election cycles.
On Saturday, the GOP will host voter registration events across Florida, most notably a NASCAR-themed push at Daytona International Speedway, as well as RNC volunteer and registration drives at home parties in Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Jacksonville.
According to a Republican aide, first reported by Roll Call: “Two-thirds of the volunteers participating this weekend are first-time RNC volunteers. Not only does this show the enthusiasm among Republicans, but it is also the earliest we’ve mobilized our volunteer network.”
Outside of Florida, RNC supporters will attend parades and fireworks displays in the Midwest, airshows in the Northwest and naturalization ceremonies in the western part of the U.S.
“We’ve been holding one-on-one meetings to train and recruit Neighborhood Teams since April,” the aide said. “I can’t overstate the positive impact of face to face interaction, and the personal attention our staff is giving to each and every volunteer.”
The preemptive effort in retail politics is most evident in Daytona, at the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 voter registration event; Florida is preparing for a highly competitive race for the open Senate seat vacated by Marco Rubio, who opted for a presidential campaign instead of re-election.
Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report/Roll Call rates that race as a Pure Tossup.
