The Bush campaigns made it seem like Republicans had a specific set of superpowers well-suited for presidential campaigns. This ability was largely due to the fact that if Republicans kicked the soccer ball, the press would follow. McCain and Romney's people tended to kick it under the porch or off a cliff. The press would still follow, but then wonder just what the hell they were doing there.
They'll still follow Trump, but he isn't playing soccer. He's playing foozball.
