They're doing everything they can to demonize him and downplay the amount of support he receives. Every time they postpone last second, supporters waste their time off and may not be able to get it again for the right day. Fewer are able to show up. Slowly, a large crowd is whittled down into one that can be painted as fringe nuts.

They're absolutely TERRIFIED he'll become the starting point for something bigger than himself, so they're pulling out every trick they can to minimize him and how he resonates with the public.