MARK HALPERIN: Four people who helped drive Trump’s GOAT comeback

Every successful presidential election is filled with goats (the most in history), and the losing side is ridiculed as the old goat, the grumpy goat, and the scapegoat. The macro narrative is that while the winners are celebrated as geniuses who fought a deft long game and assembled brilliant tactics and strategies to make it happen, the losers are celebrated with extensive brushes with incompetence, infighting, and failure. It is set by being filled.

Although candidates are the most important factor in determining who wins the quadrennial Oval Office contest, advisors, staff, and supporters are also invaluable in the strange organization of presidential endeavors. occupies a large part.

Team Trump, led by campaign captains Susie Wiles and Chris Lacivita and supported by prominent backers such as Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is currently They won the game and are being praised for their construction and execution. A plan that led to great success.

Who is Susie Wiles, President Trump’s White House Chief of Staff? 5 things you need to know

Outside the inner circle in the spotlight, there are many people who have made significant contributions, from agents to donors to staff to state secretaries.

A book could be filled with fascinating profiles of the lesser-known stars who played key roles in the Trump-Vance victory.

Based on conversations with various sources inside and outside of Team Trump, here are four of the many men and women who under the radar helped propel Trump’s historic return to the GOAT.

1. James Blair, Trump campaign political director

Prime Minister Blair took charge of a large but smaller budget than the Harris campaign and turned it into a grassroots campaign with overwhelming turnout in battleground states. He also tackled two complex challenges. One is to build systems to reach and vote less likely voters, and the other is to have campaigns work closely with well-funded but inexperienced outside groups to mobilize voters. The key is to take advantage of new legal rulings that make it possible.

Blair remained calm, level-headed and analytical despite doubts from the media, the Democratic Party and even his own party about whether he would succeed.

Although there was a secret sauce in the political director’s jambalaya, he was actually surprisingly open about his strategy, evident in several lengthy pre-election interviews in which he gave the classic sure-fire The operative displayed a combination of humility and confidence.

2. Lee Zeldin, former New York State Representative

After fighting a strong campaign and coming close to winning the 2022 Empire State gubernatorial race, Zeldin is using his newfound expertise to win the kind of voter turnout that President Trump has been counting on. He directed America First Works’ voting efforts to encourage infrequent voters to vote. Although this was a low-profile voter program (compared to those of Musk and Charlie Kirk), it nevertheless proved to be an effective get-out-the-vote effort based on rigorous metrics and a grassroots focus. The group’s own data suggests its efforts have been surprisingly efficient, reaching a very high percentage of the voters targeted by its staff.

Zeldin is a rare person with experience in elected office and the soul and vision of a top political operative. His determination and loyalty to Trump earned him the position of EPA Administrator in the new administration.

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3. Walt Nauta, Assistant to President Donald Trump

Even after becoming embroiled in Jack Smith’s investigation into the Mar-a-Lago documents scandal, Nauta remained physically close to Trump and pledged personal allegiance, continuing his role as a super-valet and taking care of the former president’s needs. Anticipated, met demands and provided non-stop practical response. Provides comfortable material for candidates on the go.

The former chief petty officer from Guam has an attitude similar to President Trump’s partner Dan Scavino. His calming voice and subtle influence, always in the background but always at hand, are a source of Pacific calm for a man who usually takes the lead. A life full of chaos.

Donald drives a golf cart with entourage Walt Nauta before the start of day three of the LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club on August 13, 2023 in Bedminster, New Jersey.・Former President Trump. (Getty Images)

4. Hogan Gidley, campaign strategist

A consummate Trump supporter and Southern gentleman, Guidry has been described by his fans as “an assassin, but not a viper,” with a quick wit and graceful style.

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Over the years, he has taken on hostile broadcast territory such as MSNBC, CNN, and CBS News, never faltered and usually emerged victorious.

During the final three months of the campaign, Gidley worked with Congressman Mike Johnson to involve the Speaker’s office in several important legislative and public relations battles, and to advocate for the president’s policies and his own defense. He fluidly carried out the task of strengthening the military. The style is different than the soft-spoken Louisianan’s usual mode.

Thanks in part to Guidry, Johnson seamlessly integrated into the Trump camp and ended the campaign, receiving public praise from the president-elect, an invitation to Mar-a-Lago, and a role in coordinating the new administration’s transition to the White House. Prepared for teamwork.