LACONIA, N.H. As Senator Marco Rubio has climbed the polls, the Floridian lacks one element that has proved to be pivotal for previous winners of New Hampshires presidential primary: a robust ground game that can generate enthusiasm and support when voters go to the polls.
On Tuesday, Rubio and a super PAC supporting his candidacy started an onslaught of 1,900 television advertisements approximately $2.8 million worth on the states top station. But underneath the buzz, GOP activists in New Hampshire are grumbling that Rubio has fewer staff members and endorsements than most of his main rivals and has made fewer campaign appearances in the state, where voters are accustomed to face-to-face contact with presidential contenders.
For much of this year, Rubio just hasnt been here, said Belknap County Republican County chairman Alan Glassman, who is not backing a candidate.
Ten GOP candidates have spent more days in New Hampshire this year than Rubio so far, according to a tally from WMUR-TV. Among the top tier of Republican candidates, only retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson has spent less time in the Granite State. In what has become an unusual campaign, Rubio, businessman Donald Trump, and Carson have not invested as much in a ground operation as earlier leading presidential candidates.
Rubios campaign insisted it has a significant presence throughout the state and said he will increase his appearances. After two public events on Monday, he returns to New Hampshire Friday and again next week.
On Monday, at a midday town hall meeting in the Lakes Region, Rubio took the stage 65 minutes late. He apologized for his tardiness, blaming traffic in Miami, and promised to speak for only a few seconds before taking questions.
James Gaisser, a 55-year-old carpenter from Sandwich who plans to vote in the GOP primary, came to Mondays event on the way to a doctors appointment in Gilford, but he left after waiting an hour for Rubio.
He is not helping himself with barely showing up and then being late when he does, Gaisser said. In New Hampshire, we see this as a unique opportunity for us to see him, but also for him to see us, and introducing himself. He looks good on television, but if he keeps this up he is blowing it.
A review by the Globe found that Rubios staff remains small compared to other top campaigns. He has seven paid aides in New Hampshire a size more in line with what struggling candidates have.
Other campaigns have double that number: Trump has 15 paid aides in the state, while Carson has 10. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush recently revealed he had increased the state staff to 20 people.
Bush is also opening four offices in the state for a total of five; Rubio has one.
Rubios relatively small staff means the campaign relies on other groups to host events and build an audience another key component in generating excitement for a campaign. Most of his recent visits include a single town hall meeting and another event, such as a business tour or a speech to the local Chamber of Commerce.
It is a risky strategy to do what Rubio is doing, said New Hampshire-based Republican consultant David Carney, who served as the White House political director under President George H.W. Bush. If something bad happens, then his entire house of cards will crumble. He needs personal relationships here and people willing to fight for you when times get hard. Otherwise the people with him now because he is winning will go to the next person who starts winning.
