"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-16T04:23:42Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/16/super-tuesday-march-15-in-2-minutes-origwx-js.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="super tuesday march 15 in 2 minutes origwx js"
data-first-publish-slug="super tuesday march 15 in 2 minutes origwx js"
data-video-tags="elections and campaigns,government and public administration,political events,politics,primaries and caucuses,super tuesday,us federal elections"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-16T04:23:42Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/16/super-tuesday-march-15-in-2-minutes-origwx-js.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="super tuesday march 15 in 2 minutes origwx js"
data-first-publish-slug="super tuesday march 15 in 2 minutes origwx js"
data-video-tags="elections and campaigns,government and public administration,political events,politics,primaries and caucuses,super tuesday,us federal elections"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-27T03:37:20Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/04/27/best-of-super-tuesday-four-speeches-orgiwx-allee.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="best of super tuesday four speeches orgiwx allee"
data-first-publish-slug="best of super tuesday four speeches orgiwx allee"
data-video-tags=""
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-27T03:22:46Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/04/27/donald-trump-why-should-i-change-super-tuesday-4-sot.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="donald trump why should i change super tuesday 4 sot"
data-first-publish-slug="donald trump why should i change super tuesday 4 sot"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,donald trump,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,us federal elections,us presidential elections"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-27T01:42:00Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/04/27/hillary-clinton-super-tuesday-4-sot.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="hillary clinton super tuesday 4 sot"
data-first-publish-slug="hillary clinton super tuesday 4 sot"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,delaware,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,hillary clinton,maryland,north america,northeastern united states,pennsylvania,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,primaries and caucuses,united states,us democratic party,us federal elections,us political parties,us presidential elections"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Clinton: Our campaign is about restoring confidence
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-27T01:26:37Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/04/27/van-jones-donald-trump-bizarre-outcome-sot-ac.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="van jones donald trump bizarre outcome sot ac"
data-first-publish-slug="van jones donald trump bizarre outcome sot ac"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,donald trump,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,us federal elections,us presidential elections"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Van Jones: Donald Trump's sweep a 'bizarre outcome'
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-27T00:23:35Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/04/27/ted-cruz-consession-speech-liberla-media-bias-sot-erin.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="ted cruz consession speech liberla media bias sot erin"
data-first-publish-slug="ted cruz consession speech liberla media bias sot erin"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,donald trump,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,liberal media,liberalism,media bias,media content,media industry,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,primaries and caucuses,society,ted cruz,us federal elections,us presidential elections,political events,super tuesday"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-27T02:47:15Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/04/27/donald-trump-sot-super-tuesday-4.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="donald trump sot super tuesday 4"
data-first-publish-slug="donald trump sot super tuesday 4"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,donald trump,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,political candidates,political events,political figures - us,politics,primaries and caucuses,super tuesday,us federal elections,us political parties,us presidential elections,us republican party"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-26T23:30:02Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/04/26/exit-polls-donald-trump-nomination-sot-chalian-erin.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="exit polls donald trump nomination sot chalian erin"
data-first-publish-slug="exit polls donald trump nomination sot chalian erin"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,connecticut,donald trump,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,maryland,north america,northeastern united states,pennsylvania,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,primaries and caucuses,united states,us federal elections,us political parties,us presidential elections,us republican party,voters and voting"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Polls shows voters warming towards Trump nomination
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-26T20:16:43Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/04/26/3-things-to-watch-super-tuesday-4-chalian-lv-nr.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="3 things to watch super tuesday 4 chalian lv nr"
data-first-publish-slug="3 things to watch super tuesday 4 chalian lv nr"
data-video-tags="connecticut,delaware,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,maryland,north america,northeastern united states,pennsylvania,political events,politics,primaries and caucuses,rhode island,super tuesday,united states,us democratic party,us federal elections,us political parties,us republican party"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-26T18:27:03Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/04/26/janes-sanders-bernie-will-not-be-spoiler-independent-run-sot-wolf.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="janes sanders bernie will not be spoiler independent run sot wolf"
data-first-publish-slug="janes sanders bernie will not be spoiler independent run sot wolf"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,bernie sanders,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,hillary clinton,jane sanders,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,us federal elections,us presidential elections"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Jane Sanders: Bernie 'will not play role of spoiler'
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-09T04:51:49Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/09/highlights-from-super-tuesday-2-speeches-origwx-cc.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="highlights from super tuesday 2 speeches origwx cc"
data-first-publish-slug="highlights from super tuesday 2 speeches origwx cc"
data-video-tags="elections and campaigns,government and public administration,political candidates,political events,politics,primaries and caucuses,speeches,super tuesday,us federal elections,us presidential elections"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-02T06:56:46Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/02/super-tuesday-coverage-two-minutes-origwx-js.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="super tuesday coverage two minutes origwx js"
data-first-publish-slug="super tuesday coverage two minutes origwx js"
data-video-tags="elections and campaigns,government and public administration,political events,politics,primaries and caucuses,super tuesday,us federal elections"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-06T16:24:39Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/06/saturday-night-live-trump-hand-size-orig-vstan-dlewis.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="Saturday Night Live Trump hand size orig vstan dlewis"
data-first-publish-slug="Saturday Night Live Trump hand size orig vstan dlewis"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,arts and entertainment,donald trump,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,late night television,marco rubio,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,television comedies,television programming,us federal elections,us presidential elections,political events,primaries and caucuses,super tuesday"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-23T04:36:41Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/23/hillary-clinton-arizona-win-primary-speech-sot.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="Hillary Clinton Arizona win primary speech sot"
data-first-publish-slug="Hillary Clinton Arizona win primary speech sot"
data-video-tags="2016 brussels terror attacks,2016 presidential election,arizona,belgium,brussels,elections and campaigns,europe,government and public administration,hillary clinton,international relations and national security,national security,north america,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,primaries and caucuses,southwestern united states,terrorism,terrorism and counter-terrorism,terrorist attacks,united states,unrest, conflicts and war,us democratic party,us federal elections,us political parties,us presidential elections,western europe"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Clinton: Contest between fundamentally different views
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-02-29T14:56:17Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/02/28/super-tuesday-scenarios-for-the-republicans-origwx-allee.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="super tuesday scenarios for the republicans origwx allee"
data-first-publish-slug="super tuesday scenarios for the republicans origwx allee"
data-video-tags="elections and campaigns,government and public administration,political events,politics,primaries and caucuses,super tuesday,us federal elections,us political parties,us republican party,2016 presidential election,donald trump,political candidates,political figures - us,us presidential elections"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Super Tuesday scenarios: Can Donald Trump be stopped?
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-23T04:01:31Z"
data-video-section="us"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/03/23/bernie-sanders-san-diego-western-primaries-sot.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="bernie sanders san diego western primaries sot"
data-first-publish-slug="bernie sanders san diego western primaries sot"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,arizona,bernie sanders,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,idaho,north america,northwestern united states,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,primaries and caucuses,southwestern united states,united states,us federal elections,us presidential elections,utah,california,san diego"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-16T01:17:14Z"
data-video-section="us"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/03/16/hillary-clinton-ohio-win-sot-ac.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="hillary clinton ohio win sot ac"
data-first-publish-slug="hillary clinton ohio win sot ac"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,elections and campaigns,florida,government and public administration,hillary clinton,midwestern united states,north america,ohio,palm beach,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,primaries and caucuses,southeastern united states,united states,us democratic party,us federal elections,us political parties,us presidential elections"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Hillary Clinton: We're moving closer to the nomination
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-16T02:23:47Z"
data-video-section="us"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/03/16/donald-trump-marco-rubio-great-future-sot-ac.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="Donald Trump Marco Rubio great future sot ac"
data-first-publish-slug="Donald Trump Marco Rubio great future sot ac"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,donald trump,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,marco rubio,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,us federal elections,us presidential elections"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-16T01:46:00Z"
data-video-section="us"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/03/16/bernie-sanders-phoenix-arizona-truth-sot-ac.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="Bernie Sanders phoenix arizona truth sot ac"
data-first-publish-slug="Bernie Sanders phoenix arizona truth sot ac"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,arizona,bernie sanders,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,hillary clinton,north america,phoenix,political candidates,political events,political figures - us,politics,primaries and caucuses,southwestern united states,super tuesday,united states,us federal elections,us presidential elections"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-15T10:33:49Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/15/super-tuesday-republican-race-jim-acosta-lkl-es.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="super tuesday republican race jim acosta lkl es"
data-first-publish-slug="super tuesday republican race jim acosta lkl es"
data-video-tags="elections and campaigns,government and public administration,political candidates,political events,politics,primaries and caucuses,super tuesday,us federal elections,us political parties,us presidential elections,us republican party,voters and voting"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-15T14:37:54Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/15/john-kasich-votes-for-president-media-avail-sot-nr.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="john kasich votes for president media avail sot nr"
data-first-publish-slug="john kasich votes for president media avail sot nr"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,government bodies and offices,governors,gubernatorial races,john kasich,midwestern united states,north america,ohio,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,state elections,united states,us federal elections,us political parties,us presidential elections,us republican party"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-15T11:15:44Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/14/ides-of-march-superstitions-politics-orig-mg.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="Ides of March superstitions politics orig mg"
data-first-publish-slug="Ides of March superstitions politics orig mg"
data-video-tags="crime, law enforcement and corrections,crimes against persons,criminal offenses,government and public administration,homicide,murder,politics"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-14T21:21:01Z"
data-video-section="tv"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2016/03/14/clinton-sanders-super-tuesday-joe-johns-lead-dnt.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="clinton sanders super tuesday joe johns lead dnt"
data-first-publish-slug="clinton sanders super tuesday joe johns lead dnt"
data-video-tags=""
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Sanders hopes to replicate Michigan magic in Ohio, Illinois
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-12T00:30:22Z"
data-video-section="us"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/03/12/bernie-sanders-17-year-olds-ohio-vote-sot-keilar-tsr.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="bernie sanders 17 year olds ohio vote sot keilar tsr"
data-first-publish-slug="bernie sanders 17 year olds ohio vote sot keilar tsr"
data-video-tags="decisions and rulings,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,law and legal system,midwestern united states,north america,ohio,politics,primaries and caucuses,trial and procedure,united states,2016 presidential election,bernie sanders,political candidates,political figures - us,us federal elections,us presidential elections"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Bernie Sanders wins case to allow 17-year-olds vote
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-14T20:54:05Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/14/super-tuesday-donald-trump-riot-investigation-acosta-dnt-lead.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="super tuesday donald trump riot investigation acosta dnt lead"
data-first-publish-slug="super tuesday donald trump riot investigation acosta dnt lead"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,crime, law enforcement and corrections,donald trump,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,law enforcement,north america,north carolina,policing and police forces,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,riots,society,southeastern united states,united states,unrest, conflicts and war,us federal elections,us presidential elections,violence in society,florida,illinois,midwestern united states,missouri,ohio,primaries and caucuses,us political parties,us republican party"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Donald Trump on rallies: There's not much violence
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-09T04:08:37Z"
data-video-section="us"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/03/09/bernie-sanders-michigan-proof-of-political-revolution.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="Bernie Sanders michigan proof of political revolution"
data-first-publish-slug="Bernie Sanders michigan proof of political revolution"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,bernie sanders,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,michigan,midwestern united states,north america,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,press conferences,united states,us federal elections,us presidential elections,voters and voting"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Sanders: Michigan is proof of a political revolution
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-09T02:58:24Z"
data-video-section="us"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/03/09/hillary-clinton-speech-to-supporters-sot.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="Hillary Clinton speech to supporters sot"
data-first-publish-slug="Hillary Clinton speech to supporters sot"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,cleveland,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,hillary clinton,midwestern united states,mississippi,north america,ohio,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,primaries and caucuses,southeastern united states,united states,us federal elections,us presidential elections,family life,society"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Clinton: Campaigns should be about results, not insults
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-09T03:06:40Z"
data-video-section="politics"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/09/donald-trump-steaks-wine-bts.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-elections"
data-video-slug="donald trump steaks wine bts"
data-first-publish-slug="donald trump steaks wine bts"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,alcoholic beverages,beverages,business and industry sectors,consumer products,donald trump,elections and campaigns,food and drink,government and public administration,kinds of foods and beverages,michigan,midwestern united states,mississippi,north america,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,primaries and caucuses,southeastern united states,united states,us federal elections,us political parties,us presidential elections,us republican party,wine"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-09T01:19:45Z"
data-video-section="us"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/03/09/hillary-clinton-wins-mississippi-exit-polls-favor-donald-trump-sot-blitzer-tsr.cnn"
data-branding-key="2016-key-race-alerts"
data-video-slug="hillary clinton wins mississippi exit polls favor donald trump sot blitzer tsr"
data-first-publish-slug="hillary clinton wins mississippi exit polls favor donald trump sot blitzer tsr"
data-video-tags="2016 presidential election,donald trump,elections and campaigns,government and public administration,hillary clinton,mississippi,north america,political candidates,political figures - us,politics,primaries and caucuses,southeastern united states,united states,us democratic party,us federal elections,us political parties,us presidential elections,voters and voting"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Hillary Clinton wins Miss. as exit polls favor Trump
Editor’s Note: Errol Louis is the host of “Inside City Hall,” a nightly political show on NY1, a New York all-news channel. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his.
Story highlights
Errol Louis: Marco Rubio forgot a cardinal rules of presidential campaigns: No substitute for ground game
Iowa in early January, Rubio had one minor field office, says Louis
If he learns from his mistake, Rubio may yet have a bright political future, says Louis
CNN
—
Sen. Marco Rubio seemed as stunned as his followers at how completely his presidential campaign collapsed. “It is not in God’s plan that I be president in 2016, or maybe ever,” he told a crowd of about 1,000 supporters as he suspended his run for president.
I don’t know what role the Almighty played, but it seems clear that Team Rubio lacked a coherent plan and a functioning political organization to sell his vision to voters. And that turned out to be fatal.
Many analysts, and Rubio himself, may chalk up his many losses to a smoldering anger among voters who are turning to Donald Trump and shunning every manner of traditional elected official. That’s surely part of the picture – but Rubio broke many of the time-honored political rules, and paid the price for it.
On a trip to Iowa in early January, I was surprised to see that Rubio, virtually alone among the top contenders for president, had almost nothing in the way of field offices. The campaign instead had a single outpost in the suburbs, well outside the easy-to-reach central Des Moines area where other candidates set up shop.
This wasn’t by chance or accident, but a deliberate decision by the campaign. In the fateful words of deputy campaign manager Rich Beeson last October (words that will surely haunt him): “The days of having to have 50 field staffers and 25 offices are done. We can have a field office and staff set up in a Starbucks with wireless and get just as much done as we can in a brick-and-mortar office with landlines.”
Political skeptics flagged the error right away. As one of the data-crunchers at FiveThirtyEight.com noted: “According to political science research, Rubio avoids the establishment of a ground game at his peril. …Knocking on doors can increase turnout by nearly 10%, and effective phone calls can encourage an additional 4% of voters to head to the polls. Without a field office in an area, candidates will find it much more difficult to translate these tactics into victory.”
Team Rubio ignored the advice, pouring money into television ads in Iowa rather than field operations. The theory, as described by campaign manager Terry Sullivan to The New York Times, was that “more people in Iowa see Marco on ‘Fox and Friends’ than see Marco when he is in Iowa.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz criss-crossed the state’s 99 counties, opened multiple offices and organized thousands of door-knocking volunteers, consciously modeling its efforts on the way then-Sen. Barack Obama opened 34 field offices in Iowa and painstakingly leveraged the grass-roots effort into a surprise win in 2008.
Cruz’s Obama-style organizing led to his victory in the state, while Rubio finished in third place.
The Rubio campaign never really abandoned its flawed theory, even as it became clear that Donald Trump would monopolize news coverage and make it hard for Rubio’s media-driven strategy to take hold. Rubio finished in fifth place in New Hampshire and got shut out of winning any delegates in South Carolina, a state where Team Rubio had promised to finish first.
In the end, Rubio won only a single state, Minnesota, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, and his final night of campaigning was a complete debacle: Rubio finished dead last in four of the five states holding primaries and was crushed by more than 20 points in his home state, losing every county in Florida except Miami-Dade.
Rubio’s conservative opponents will chalk his losses up to the young senator’s cozy relationships with donors and party leaders at a time when voters are suspicious of anything that could be labeled the establishment.
But the truth is that his TV-driven strategy would have led to defeat no matter what the message.
No matter how fancy our screens and gadgets get, there’s no substitute for good old-fashioned neighbor-to-neighbor contact and personal candidate appearances. If Rubio has learned that lesson, he may yet have a bright future with voters who didn’t so much reject him as wonder who he really was.