Elections

Former RNC chair: Republicans are coming home

Campaigning in swing states
VIDEO3:2303:23
Campaigning in swing states

Many have questioned the enthusiasm in Republican Party leaders, but former RNC Chair and former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore says that GOP leaders worked hard in battleground states to secure votes for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Gilmore shared with CNBC's "Power Lunch," "There isn't but one candidate in this race that speaks on behalf of change, and that's Donald Trump and the rest of the Republican ticket. So the enthusiasm is very great on the Republican side. I've seen it in Virginia. I think you're seeing it in Florida."

In addition, Gilmore said that the RNC and Virginia GOP members have organized a "Get out the vote" program to increase enthusiasm to vote.

"[The program] is not perfect, but I think it is going pretty well," Gilmore said. "Republican rank and file are out there and they're very enthusiastic and working hard. I've given over 30 speeches in the last 45 days in every corner of Virginia. Republicans were being asked to come home. They are coming home. I think to suggest that nothing's going on is not right."

Ann Lewis, President Bill Clinton's White House communications director and senior advisor to the 2008 Clinton presidential campaign, shared with CNBC's "Power Lunch" her thoughts on Virginia.

"I remember when Virginia was a red state," Lewis said. "Watching Donald Trump, watching his divisive rhetoric, if you will, watching the fact that right now everyone is putting Virginia in the blue column, I think is an example of how American politics is changing."

However, Gilmore believes that Trump's ability to represent and provide a voice for working men and women will carry the nominee in other key battleground states.

"I think that what Trump has achieved in this election is that the Republican party has an opportunity to be the voice of working men and women," Gilmore said. "And that's why I think we are going to carry Ohio. That's why Michigan is in play. And that would be a really great transformation."

The Democrats have outspent Republicans in advertising within battleground states almost 2 to 1. But Lewis attributes Clinton's strong "Get out the vote" movement to the campaign's ground game strategy.

"Only on the ground can you have person-to-person communication with voters," Lewis said. "When people call their neighbors or when people go door to door and knock on the door and say, 'I'm supporting Hillary, I hope you are too. Can I help you get to the polls? Do you need a ride? Do you know what time you're going to vote?' Those are the kinds of personal human connections, if you will, that can really make a difference in the campaign."