As campaign reboots, Team Trump solicits strategic advice
The same day Donald Trump announced a campaign reboot, Team Trump issued a survey asking supporters for strategy advice.
Shortly after news broke that Trump would be hiring Stephen Bannon of Breitbart News as campaign CEO and conservative pollster Kellyanne Conway as campaign manager, the RNC sent an email to supporters with the subject line: “Your input needed.”
The email included a “Trump Campaign Strategy Survey,” which it said was supporters' “duty to take.”
“To win this fight, Trump is turning to his most trusted advisers: the American People,” the email signed “Team TRUMP” says.
The 30-question survey asks about policy issues, such as whether a wall should be built along the Southern border, and hits the Obama administration, but it also asks questions about how Trump should handle the election going forward.
“Should Trump spend more of his time going after Hillary’s record and her positions on the issues?” one questions asks. Trump is known for his off-the-cuff style, which critics say sometimes results in missing opportunities to attack Clinton.
“Should Trump invest more time and resources in YOUR state?” another question follows. “Should Trump focus more on positive or negative advertising?”
One question asks whether term limits should be imposed on Congress, a potential sign to further Trump’s distance from the establishment in his party.
The addition of Bannon and Conway is also a move away from "politics as usual."
Bannon has no previous political experience and has illustrated a strong distrust of the Republican establishment, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Conway has worked on campaigns for Trump’s running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, as well as former House speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., and Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz.
The addition to the Trump campaign comes as Trump struggles to gain ground against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. He is behind her in slew of battleground state polls released in recent days.