Amid polls indicating a close race in traditionally blue states like New Hampshire, Republicans are growing hopeful that they can break the winning streak held by Democrats in the Granite State.
In the wake of recent polls suggesting a margin-of-error race in New Hampshire and President Biden's struggling performance in the first presidential debate, Republicans are expressing optimism about breaking their losing streak in the traditionally blue state.
"I firmly believe that New Hampshire is very much in play," said Steve Stepanek, senior Trump adviser in the state.
Trump Sets Sights on Historically Blue States, Including New Hampshire
However, former state party chair Kathy Sullivan disagrees, emphasizing that "New Hampshire is not Trump-friendly territory" and that "there's nothing changing the dynamic now in terms of Biden versus Trump in New Hampshire."
Despite the mixed opinions, Trump's campaign has begun eyeing blue-leaning states, including Minnesota and Virginia, in addition to the key battleground states that decided the 2020 election.
Trump Sets Sights on Historically Blue States, Including New Hampshire
The debate performance by Biden, who is the oldest president in American history, has raised concerns among Democrats about his ability to campaign and govern effectively.
In response, Biden is working to demonstrate his stamina and acuity, traveling to states and participating in events to prove his readiness for the presidency.
Trump Sets Sights on Historically Blue States, Including New Hampshire
Political handicapper Sabato's Crystal Ball shifted Michigan and Minnesota towards Trump in the aftermath of the debate, indicating a potential shift in the race.
A recent poll conducted by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center suggested that Trump was edging Biden by two points, within the survey's sampling error.
Trump Sets Sights on Historically Blue States, Including New Hampshire
Neil Levesque, executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, believes that New Hampshire is now a battleground state.
"You are likely to see states that are similar to ours that show it's tied up or Trump has the lead," Levesque said.
Trump Sets Sights on Historically Blue States, Including New Hampshire
Despite the close polls, Democrats maintain a significant organizational advantage in New Hampshire, with a larger number of field offices and boots on the ground.
Longtime state Democratic Party chair Ray Buckley emphasizes the importance of the Democratic ground game, stating that "New Hampshire Democrats will continue to use our robust, grassroots campaign infrastructure to reach Granite Staters in every corner of New Hampshire..."
Stepanek, however, predicts a significant ground game from the Republican side, claiming that "there's an army of Trump supporters out there, and they're all coming out."
Sullivan remains skeptical, arguing that "Republicans always say they're going to do something, and they never follow through."
She also highlights the issues and lack of enthusiasm within the Republican base, predicting that the Democrats will have an advantage.
As the race progresses, both parties will continue to focus on building their ground games and reaching out to voters in key states like New Hampshire, where the outcome of the election could be determined by a narrow margin.
