The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Weary and subdued, a different Donald Trump appears in N.H.

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February 7, 2016 at 8:09 p.m. EST

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, dressed as always in a suit and tie, stepped into the quaint Chez Vachon diner in Manchester on Sunday morning to make the sort of down-home campaign stop his critics accuse him of never attempting. He slowly walked through the must-see election destination, smiling reflexively as he shook hands with patrons and posed for pictures with nervous supporters.

It seemed like a humble gesture by the celebrity mogul to New Hampshire voters, who notoriously insist on meeting candidates multiple times before rewarding them with their votes. But after two days without public campaign events in the Granite State, it also served to highlight the extent to which Trump — who seemed weary after Saturday's debate — has failed to meet regularly with Granite State voters on their terms.

Tuesday’s primary marks a crucial moment for the campaign, which skeptics accuse of failing to build a robust national ground game that will turn out voters. Campaign officials have aggressively fought the criticism and hope to prove that they are capable of transforming Trump’s enormous crowds into an electoral victory.

But the most notable absence in the run-up to the primary here is not a voter-turnout strategy — it has been the candidate.

Back in New Hampshire, Trump returns to form

Trump's weekend sprint to the finish line here in New Hampshire has seemed more like a haphazard lurch. With a winter storm in the region Friday and the Republican debate on Saturday placing constraints on the campaign's travel, Trump lost two valuable days to make his final pitch just as notoriously fickle New Hampshire voters began making their final judgments. Many have also been critical of Trump's decision to hold a massive rally last Wednesday in Little Rock and another on Friday in Florence, S.C.

On Sunday, the diner visit was one of two public campaign stops for Trump in New Hampshire. The other was a rally in Plymouth, where about 1,000 gathered to listen to one of the candidate’s usually raucous speeches.

But Trump instead spoke slowly and more hoarsely than usual. In several instances, supporters appeared to urge him to arrive at applause lines faster, as in one moment when some began shouting questions about building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Trump repeatedly reminded voters of the importance of showing up to vote instead of peppering the audience with talk of recent polls that show his strength in the state and nationally.

“You guys better vote for me,” he said with a smile. “I don’t need your money, I need your vote. Keep your money, I don’t want any of your money. . . . No, no, I don’t want anything. I want one thing: On Tuesday, you have to get out and vote.”

Several voters said the event seemed more subdued than they expected from their impressions on television. And without other meetings, it’s the only impression they’ll take away before the election.

What it’s like to attend a news conference on Donald Trump’s jet

“We’ve been to quite a few of the town halls. You have a chance to talk to them, ask questions, and you know, engage. I don’t believe he does that,” said Brenda Wilson-Remmer, an independent voter choosing among several Republican candidates.

“I was disappointed. I didn’t think the crowd had the enthusiasm that I’ve seen on TV,” she added after seeing Trump live for the first time Sunday.

That could spell trouble for Trump, whose candidacy from the start has rested on the sheer force of the mogul’s personality. The billionaire’s bombast and anti-establishment message have appealed to disaffected conservatives across the country, despite little support from the Republican establishment.

It remains to be seen how late deciders will cast their vote without more face-time with the candidate.

“It’s a little bit exciting, because we came without knowing he was going to be here,” Connie LaFond of Hooksett said at the diner Sunday morning.

LaFond admitted she will not be supporting Trump but said it is very important for candidates to see voters face to face. She said seeing him in person, and understanding the enormous logistical difficulties caused by cramming so many reporters and staff members into small spaces, gave her some insight into his day-to-day routine.

“What’s very surprising is we never get to see the reality of what he’s going through, with the security and the entourage,” she said. And, “his hair is not anywhere as bad as it looks on TV.”