‘He’s not changing’
Prez ramps up rhetoric on trail
WASHINGTON — President Trump is ready to hit the campaign trail to boost Republicans in the midterms.
And based on his stumping so far for congressional special election candidates, Trump promises to bring a focus on his own re-election, his nationalist views of American protectionism, and his often combative tone — whether GOP candidates embrace that approach or not.
“It’s working for him and he’s not changing,” said Alex Patton, a GOP political consultant and pollster. “He doesn’t give a damn about the party or any type of Republican other than Trump disciples.”
Saturday night, at a rally near Pittsburgh for congressional hopeful Rick Saccone, Trump all but announced his re-election bid, announcing his slogan — “Keep America Great!” — touting his accomplishments, berating “evil” Washington insiders and decrying the “fake news media.” He also drew cheers with his insults to political opponents like U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif)., who he called a “very low IQ individual” and again tagging Bay State U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren with the slur “Pocahontas.”
Trump barely mentioned the candidate, except to say that “this guy can really help me, Rick Saccone!”
Trump is not a fan of the congressional hopeful and privately disparaged Saccone as a terrible candidate, calling him “weak,” according to a report last night by Axios.
Trump drew an enthusiastic crowd in the Pennsylvania district that he won by roughly 20 percent.
Polls, however, have Saccone’s race with the Democrat Conor Lamb in a virtual dead heat, which is why the race has drawn Trump along with millions of dollars to keep the seat in Republican hands — and prevent Democrats from coming one seat closer to potentially reclaiming control of the House.
Not all Republicans are worried that Trump may eclipse other GOP candidates.
“Trump’s message works well in the vast majority of Republican districts, less so in suburban districts that lean Republican,” said Republican
strategist John Feehery. “For most
GOP districts, being pro-Trump is the smart strategy.”
Others are openly wondering if the only solution is to beat Trump at his own game. U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (RAriz.) said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Trump needs a primary challenge.
“I mean, it would be a tough go in a Republican primary,” Flake said. “The Republican Party is the Trump party right now. But that’s not to say it will stay that way.”