Donald Trump must bring “real change” to his campaign in the final month before voters cast their ballots if he wishes to defeat Hillary Clinton on Election Day, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Monday.
“He has gotten himself to the edge of the mountain, he can get himself to the top of the mountain, but to do that he has to be willing to make real change,” Gingrich, a high-profile supporter of the Republican presidential nominee, told the New York Times.
“He has to decide that the presidency is worth drilling into,” he added.
Gingrich joins other Republicans who have pressured Trump to ignore recent attacks being leveled by his Democratic opponent, including his treatment of a former Miss Universe contestant and possible tax avoidance. He should instead be focused on highlighting Hillary Clinton’s flaws and painting her as the status quo candidate, Trump allies have said.
“With the possible exception of Eisenhower, nobody in modern times has become president without making major changes to their approach,” Gingrich noted.
“I really want [Trump] to understand that he can win this,” he said, adding, however, that Trump is his own worst enemy, “not Hillary [Clinton].”
Trump is said to be preparing for the second presidential debate on Oct. 9 more so than he did for the first.
In addition to urging him to stay on message, the campaign has brought in New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and “Mr. Brexit,” former United Kingdom Independence Party Leader Nigel Farage, to help him prepare for the town-hall style debate against Clinton.
