On the final Fourth of July before the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, the Republican candidates for the party’s presidential nomination will be hitting the campaign trail, engaging with supporters, shaking hands with voters, and capturing selfies. However, the front-runner, Donald J. Trump, will be noticeably absent on this significant day in the nation’s history. While Mike Pence heads to Iowa and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida participates in two parades in New Hampshire, drawing the presence of Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and North Dakota’s governor, Doug Burgum, among others, Trump has disrupted the traditional expectations of voters in these early states.
For decades, Iowa and New Hampshire voters have prided themselves on their ability to personally connect with presidential candidates before casting their votes. However, Trump’s unconventional approach challenges this norm. Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Trump’s 2024 campaign, defends the former president’s absence on the Fourth of July, referring to his recent rally in South Carolina during the Independence Day weekend. Cheung also mentions Trump’s appearances at the Moms for Liberty conference in Philadelphia and his visit to Pat’s King of Steaks, a renowned cheese steak palace in Philly. Despite this, Trump’s campaign plans to have a significant presence in parades and patriotic events in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, engaging with voters who are dissatisfied with President Joe Biden’s leadership.
While Trump may not be present on the stage, other Republican candidates will provide ample opportunities for early-state voters to receive personal attention. Pence, the former vice president, will participate in parades and meet voters in Iowa, while DeSantis, Scott, and several other hopefuls will be present at the July 4 parade in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Marianne Williamson, a long-shot challenger for President Biden’s Democratic nomination, will also attend the parade in Wolfeboro.
Meanwhile, President Biden plans to host active-duty military families for a barbecue at the White House and engage in politicking with the National Education Association before enjoying fireworks on the White House lawn with military personnel, veterans, caregivers, and survivors. Trump’s campaign remains unfazed by his absence, emphasizing his dominant position in Republican primary polling and dismissing concerns that his rivals might gain ground during his absence. Republican veterans also acknowledge Trump’s unique approach, recognizing that his celebrity status and previous presidency afford him greater flexibility.
The retail politics tradition in Iowa and New Hampshire may be overrated in today’s political landscape, with super PACs, social media, and celebrity culture playing prominent roles. Fergus Cullen, a former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee, believes that retail politics has become more about theater and performance for cameras rather than genuine connections with voters. However, appearances like DeSantis’s participation in the July 4 parades demonstrate his commitment and seriousness towards the New Hampshire primary. On the other hand, imagining Trump walking in the Wolfeboro Fourth of July parade seems unlikely.
By limiting public appearances and prioritizing large rallies, Trump aims to preserve his celebrity status and faith among supporters while projecting confidence. The opinion of Republican primary voters regarding Trump is already well-established, and his fate in the primary contest may depend more on external factors such as legal troubles he faces rather than his ability to persuade voters at local events.
Despite Trump’s relatively sparse schedule, his spokesman, Mr. Cheung, disagrees with the notion that he avoids retail politics, emphasizing that it would be incorrect to claim such limitations. However, other Republican candidates with weaker field operations and delayed campaign starts do not have the luxury to follow a similar approach.
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