Topic: Ground Game

Donald Trump's campaign is building a sophisticated "ground game" in early primary states like Iowa, focusing on turning fans into committed caucus-goers. The hosts discuss long-standing but rarely mentioned allegations of Trump's ties to organized crime in the New York construction industry. They compare Trump's current trajectory to Ronald Reagan's 1976 campaign, suggesting the establishment may attempt to derail him at the last moment.

The New York Times begins covering Ron Paul's "ground game" in Iowa, which the hosts interpret as the media covering its tracks after previously ignoring his candidacy. Despite being marginalized in "phony baloney" surveys, Paul is expected to finish first or second in the Iowa caucus. The hosts predict that the media will attempt to downplay a Paul victory by claiming the caucus is not a representative vote.