Doug Burgum's niche message.

[Benjamin Frank]

I realize he was largely dismissed, but I think too quickly.

Burgum's 'small town' message fits fairly well with the first two states in that both Iowa and New Hampshire have a lot of small towns, especially given that those are disproportionately Republican voters.

To be sure, many small town Iowa voters are Evangelicals who are more interested in religious based campaign themes, but since that vote is taken by other candidates, the 'small town' for its own sake argument isn't necessarily bad counterprogramming.

Even more so, in the much less Evangelical New Hampshire, Burgum's message of a government concerned about small towns and in favor of 'state's rights' I think should play very well.

I don't think Burgum will gain much in the national polls, but I wouldn't be surprised if he picks up some support in Iowa and even more support in New Hampshire.

[Progressive Pessimist]

That would be nice, but Trump already encompasses that in the form of spite for big cities and the edumacated. Maybe in 2012 this would have worked.