On social media and in casual conversation with like-minded individuals I notice the refrain, “Trump will win in a landslide. Look at all the people at his rallies!”

Uh, no.

If the president got the votes of all the people who show up for his rallies, let’s say 50,000 tops inside and outside, and that’s being generous, he’d be beaten in those states by about 10-15 to 1.

The rallies get good press, amuse and motivate the faithful, and drive the left barking mad. And those are all good things. The numbers also contrast nicely with the paltry numbers at Democrat rallies.

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But the president is doing something much more valuable at those events than cheerleading or cracking jokes. He’s doing what any good leader does. He’s taking care of his people and realizing that the people at the top are only as good as what they do for the people on the ground.

That’s why a big part of the rallies consist of the president bringing up state and federal candidates and even giving them the mic for a bit. Then those candidates can use those soundbites and pics for their own campaigns. Trump knows without a good team in the states and in Congress his agenda will get stalled.

However, it also speaks to a savvy understanding of the leadership process. Too many headquarters types get too enmeshed in office politics and their own corporate dramas. They forget that their most vital job is to support the people under fire.

So by putting his ammo at the disposal of others, Trump the leader comprehends his proper place in the tactical and strategic political universe. Not that his rallies don’t do him any good. The man gets so much free publicity, the same as he did in 2016, through his words and events he hardly needs his comms team.

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If you’re reading this in DC ignore that last statement, lest I get cut off from Hill/campaign comms staff-purchased cocktails during happy hour at the Cap Hilton.

So as you watch his future rallies, focus on the message and the co-stars. That’s where the action is. The number of people at the event? Nice, but only indicative. Not dispositive.