Senate race pushes Trump into tight political corner
President Trump had formally given Sen. Luther Strange his “complete and total endorsement.” But as recently as last week, his advisers were deeply divided on whether the president should risk jetting to Alabama to prop up the Republican, who was trailing in his primary race behind a challenger who had become a darling to Trump’s base.
That prompted GOP establishment forces to wage an intense behindthe-scenes campaign to convince Trump that he could carry Strange across the finish line with an appearance in Alabama.
Private polls were circulated in the West Wing showing a more favorable race for Strange than public surveys — including one the U.S. Chamber of Commerce commissioned from Trump campaign pollster Tony Fabrizio, whose imprimatur Republicans thought could sway the president. A close ally of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., briefed Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on the contest. Jeff Roe, Strange’s top consultant, fed regular updates to Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser.
And Sen. Bob Corker — whose own relationship with Trump was frayed by a summer of curt criticism — paid a visit last Friday to the Oval Office, where he delivered a blunt request at the end of a broader conversation.
“You’ve got to go,” the Tennessee Republican told Trump, according to people briefed on the exchange. “We need you there.”
The last-minute push, detailed by several White House officials and other Republicans, resulted in Trump deciding to stage a rally with Strange on Friday, followed by Pence heading down Monday on the eve of Alabama’s runoff election.
For Trump, the gamble will test whether his voters will heed his call — or instead will back Roy Moore, a Bible-quoting former state Supreme Court justice who enjoys the support of former White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon and other prominent members of the Trump coalition.
Senate Republicans also see the Alabama primary as a political squall that could shape the 2018 midterm elections and test the president’s willingness to bolster endangered GOP incumbents.
“Alabama is sooo lucky to have a candidate like “Big” Luther Strange,” Trump tweeted Wednesday evening. “Smart, tough on crime, borders & trade, loves Vets & Military. Tuesday!”
The winding process of securing Trump’s trip to Huntsville reveals the fragility of the bonds between the president and other leaders of his party, who are searching for ways to steer him into becoming their reliable standard-bearer in next year’s elections.
White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, who has tried to control what information Trump receives about the Alabama race, was initially wary of the president appearing with a senator who might lose. He preferred Trump spend his time on policy initiatives such as tax reform rather than rousing crowds at political rallies.