Dem
52
Ties
1
GOP
47
Donald Trump dreamed up the idea of having a Republican national convention in a midterm year as a way to drum up support for Republicans. It reminds one of the big "state fair" he demanded on the Mall, and to which almost no one came. Like the fair idea, this one is not doing well either.
Insiders who know the details have described the convention, scheduled for Sept. 9-10 in Dallas, as a "trainwreck" or worse yet, a "sh** show." Trump bleated about it: "We are going to celebrate the GREAT AMERICAN COMEBACK, and the incredible successes of the American People who transformed our Country through the America First Agenda." For one thing, the NRCC is asking House members to buy a ticket for themselves and one other person for $25,000 and up per ticket. Some members are being asked to pony up $100,000. This is basically extorting Republican House members. Very few of them even want to go. Naturally, corporations that have business before the government are being "encouraged" to contribute as well.
There is also criticism of the dates, coming just before 9/11, which will no doubt enable lots of Muslim-bashing, despite a close Senate race in Michigan. Another problem with the timing is that Sept. 9 is the opening game of the NFL season, and that is likely to draw many voters away from watching the convention. On Sept. 9, the Seattle Seahawks will play the New England Patriots. On Sept. 10, the San Francisco 49ers will play the Los Angeles Rams.
The keynote speakers will be Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, naturally. While Democrats and independents are not likely to watch—not even those with no interest in football—they are likely to see clips from it or read about it afterwards. Since the entire menu will be red meat for the base, it is surely going to enrage Democrats and independents.
One Republican strategist said: "Nobody understands why we're doing a midterm convention. It's just another show that Trump is going to put on to remind the voters that he is sitting there, and maybe they don't want to be reminded of that." (V)