Pro-Trump Preserve America is launching $30 million ad campaign


Ballotpedia's Daily Presidential News Briefing
August 31, 2020: Preserve America is launching a $30 million ad campaign in battleground states on Tuesday. Joe Biden and Mike Pence are campaigning in Pennsylvania at the start of this week.        

Notable Quote of the Day

“Predicting the end of political conventions as we know them may be a popular talking point, but it’s not a practical reality. Conventions are an opportunity for networking and building relationships. They’re an opportunity for the parties to inject local economies with a much needed tourism boost and to build some much needed goodwill with swing state voters. So much of what makes a convention a convention is about what happens outside of the convention hall, not inside during prime time.”

– Michael Starr Hopkins, Democratic strategist

“This year’s party conventions aren’t geared toward persuading voters to change their minds. Instead, the conventions are looking to persuade voters to vote. Those same political science studies that found persuasion campaigns don’t work also found that turnout tactics do make a real difference. From now on, party conventions will almost certainly be geared—not toward a traditional polling bounce—but toward increasing likeability for the candidate, building enthusiasm for the campaign, and convincing their own voters on the importance of not letting the other side win.”

– Sarah Isgur, Republican political adviser

Election Updates

  • Joe Biden aired two ads targeting young voters and voters of colors during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday. The ads focused on voter turnout and protests against police brutality and systemic racism.
  • Biden will deliver remarks on his vision for America in southwestern Pennsylvania on Monday. His campaign’s press release said that he will “lay out a core question voters face in this election: are you safe in Donald Trump’s America?”
  • Kamala Harris launched a new Hispanic small business outreach program in Miami with Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell called “Nuestro Negocios, Nuestro Futuro.”
  • Donald Trump traveled to Louisiana and Texas on Saturday to meet with officials and relief workers following Hurricane Laura.
  • Preserve America, a new pro-Trump super PAC led by Chris LaCivita, the Republican strategist behind the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads in 2004, is expected to begin a $30 million ad campaign in battleground states on Tuesday.
  • Mike Pence will speak at a “Workers for Trump” rally and visit a construction company near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday.

What We’re Reading

Flashback: August 31, 2016

Donald Trump met with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto in Mexico City.

Click here to learn more.