An underappreciated feature of Trump’s strength against Haley in New Hampshire is that Trump has run a far more issues-based campaign than she has.

While Trump’s personal insults and off-the-wall comments attract most of the media attention, Trump’s TV advertising over the last few days has been highly disciplined.

It focuses on just two issues: immigration, hitting Haley from the right with specific references to unpopular (in a GOP primary) things she’s said, and Social Security, attacking her from the left by claiming she will raise the retirement age and gut benefits. Haley’s ads, meanwhile, are about electability, general exhaustion with Trump and Biden, and generational change.

[That’s a smart move for Trump in skeptical New Hampshire. But the strategy also bolsters Trump’s claim to incumbency and strengthens his position within the GOP base. Trump issues personal attacks in rallies, but the ads are clearly more strategic. — Ed]