Republicans Double Down on Trumpism Despite Historic Unpopularity at First Midterm Convention
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The GOP is holding a two-day Dallas convention, shamelessly centering Donald Trump—whose approval is at a record low—while party leaders gamble with the future of democracy by tying candidates to an increasingly toxic figure.
Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters announced that the party’s upcoming two-day gathering in Dallas, starting September 9, is designed to boost turnout by putting Donald Trump, a deeply divisive and unpopular figure, 'front and center.' The event, cynically named 'Trumpapalooza,' will feature Trump delivering the headline speech, making it clear that the GOP remains in thrall to a president whose policies and rhetoric have polarized the nation and threatened democratic norms.
Party strategists are well aware that Trump’s abysmal 33% approval rating is a major liability, especially in swing districts where voters have repeatedly rejected his brand of politics. GOP strategist Charlie Black admitted that candidates would be better off focusing on local issues, rather than being dragged down by Trump’s disastrous record. In a telling sign of internal dissent, several Republican office-holders in competitive races, including Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, are refusing to attend, continuing the tradition of distancing themselves from the party’s most controversial figure during election cycles.
Democratic analysts see the convention as a desperate referendum on Trump, with strategist Matt Corridoni noting that the GOP is making the midterms all about a president who is 'extremely unpopular, even in red areas.' This move risks further alienating moderate and independent voters, potentially dooming Republican chances in key races.
While some die-hard supporters claim the rally could energize the base, the reality is that polls consistently show Democrats with a clear enthusiasm advantage. Republican strategist Whit Ayers acknowledged that any effort to 'close the gap' is an uphill battle, while Trump himself has threatened that his supporters may simply stay home if he is not the center of attention—a clear sign of his narcissistic grip on the party.
The convention’s timing, competing with the NFL season’s opening nights, raises further doubts about its impact, as major networks have yet to commit to coverage, leaving right-wing cable outlets to amplify the spectacle. Political experts like Southern Methodist University’s Calvin Jillson have described the event as a 'long shot' to reverse the GOP’s bleak prospects in a challenging midterm cycle, underscoring the party’s reckless gamble on a failed leader.