Republicans are making an unpopular President Donald Trump the focal point of their campaign to maintain control of Congress. During a two-day convention in Dallas, President Trump is expected to be prominently featured, with numerous Republicans defending his record and Trump himself delivering a prime-time keynote address. This event is being compared to one of Trump's signature rallies, aiming to energize his supporters ahead of the midterm elections.
The strategy is particularly notable given President Trump's deeply negative approval ratings, which stand at just 33% in recent polling. Democrats are eager to link their opponents to the President, especially as his polling sags. Despite these challenges, the Republican National Committee (RNC) chair, Joe Gruters, stated, "We are putting the president on the ballot," believing Trump is the "best vote getter for these little propensity voters."
This convention, dubbed "Trumpapalooza" by some, is designed to persuade Trump's loyal supporters that he is effectively on the ballot for November 3. Experts like Matthew Green, a politics professor at the Catholic University of America, suggest this approach aims to mobilize "diehard Trump voters" who might not otherwise turn out for a midterm election. The party is fighting political history, which often sees the party holding the White House lose congressional seats during midterms, and faces headwinds from inflation, high gas prices ($4 per gallon), and the ongoing conflict with Iran.
