Trump's Austin rally is closest-to-election Texas foray by a presidential contender in two decades

[Gothmog]

Is Texas a swing state now? http://beta.dallasnews.com/news/2016-presidential-election/2016/08/22/trumps-austin-rally-closest-election-texas-foray-presidential-contender-two-decades

Donald Trump is staging two public campaign events in Austin on Tuesday, making his foray into Texas the closest to the general election by any major-party presidential nominee in two decades.

Except to serve as an ATM for candidates briefly stopping over to raise money, Texas is generally inert during general-election contests for the White House.

It hasn't voted for a Democrat for president since Jimmy Carter carried the state in 1976 against President Gerald Ford.

Nothing much happens here after the primaries — and in some cycles, during the primaries as well as the general election.
How do you explain Trump's investment of most of a day in public events in Austin on Tuesday?

[unblock]

1. and how many quieter fund-raisers during that visit?

[vinny9698]

3. Well if are in the area for a fundraiser, why not? Free air time

I am sure it will be covered by national news for such an unusual event. That's what makes the news the unusual.

[Gman]

4. It's a complete waste of time and resources

Because surely, their internal polling doesn't show Texas as so close he has to go there. Or maybe it does.

[TexasProgresive]

5. I'm guessing it will be a rallying call for the wingnuts of Bastrop and Williamson counties to flock

to Austin which is a lovely shade of blue.