US REPUBLICANS WILL gather in Texas this week for a two-day convention aimed at convincing voters that Donald Trump is effectively on the ballot in November\u2019s midterm elections.<\/p>\n
But it comes as the unpopular US president threatens to become a liability for his own party.<\/p>\n
The gathering on 9-10 September \u2013 dubbed \u2018Trumpapalooza\u2019 by organisers \u2013 is an unusual midterm experiment, designed to rally voters around Trump\u2019s record as the party faces increasingly grim forecasts for elections that could cost it control of Congress.<\/p>\n
Decision Desk HQ, an independent election data provider, projects Democrats to win the House of Representatives by 229 seats to 206, while putting the Senate at a knife-edge 50-50.<\/p>\n
Republican leaders have nevertheless decided that the answer is more Trump, not less.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe president\u2019s going to look right into the camera and say, \u2018I am on the ballot,\u2019\u201d House Speaker Mike Johnson told supporters in Texas ahead of the gathering.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause, even though his name isn\u2019t, his administration, his legacy, the America First agenda, is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trump is due to fly into Dublin on 12 September for 48 hours. During the trip, he will meet with President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin before travelling to his golf resort in Doonbeg, where the Irish Open is taking place this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But before that, he will appear both days at Dallas\u2019s American Airlines Center, headlining on Wednesday and deliver closing remarks at Thursday\u2019s finale after US Vice President JD Vance\u2019s keynote address.<\/p>\n
Trump promised a musical celebration of the party\u2019s \u201ctremendous victories\u201d and \u201cincredible candidates\u201d in a social media post billing the event as \u201cthe greatest rally of them all.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Staying home<\/p>\n
Organisers hope to showcase the administration\u2019s tax cuts, immigration policies and other achievements while portraying Democrats as increasingly extreme.<\/p>\n
But the strategy carries risks.<\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s approval rating has fallen into the low-to-mid 30s amid stubborn inflation, high fuel prices, his unpopular war with Iran and a costly trade dispute with Canada.<\/p>\n
Perhaps more tellingly, many of the Republican candidates whose races will determine control of Congress appear reluctant to join the celebration.<\/p>\n
A Politico survey of more than 70 politicians and candidates found most either did not plan to attend or had yet to commit, with dozens more declining to disclose their plans.<\/p>\n
Some vulnerable Republicans have cited campaign commitments, debates or family obligations, while others have complained privately about being asked to contribute at least $25,000 (\u20ac22,000) to attend.<\/p>\n
Mike Johnson acknowledged that some members need to remain home but insists most Republicans will make at least an appearance, describing the event as an opportunity to put the party\u2019s record before a national television audience.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a real opportunity to defy history and win the midterms,\u201d Johnson said in a video promoting the gathering.<\/p>\n
Football competition<\/p>\n
There are also doubts over how much of that television audience will actually be watching.<\/p>\n
Both convention nights clash with the opening games of the National Football League (NFL) season, potentially forcing Trump\u2019s prime-time show into competition with one of America\u2019s most popular sporting events.<\/p>\n
Republican organisers reject suggestions the event is mistimed, arguing it will energise activists, raise money and give candidates valuable national exposure. They expect tens of thousands of attendees.<\/p>\n
The convention is also being used as a major fundraising opportunity: donors have reportedly been offered a photograph with Trump for $88,600 (\u20ac76,000), while access to a roundtable with the president costs $250,000 (\u20ac215,000).<\/p>\n
For Republicans, however, the bigger gamble is political.<\/p>\n
Their November strategy depends on persuading millions of voters who turned out for Trump in 2024 to return when he is not actually on the ballot \u2013 while avoiding alienating independents who have increasingly soured on his presidency.<\/p>\n
Veteran Republican political consultant Matt Klink, who has worked on hundreds of federal, state and local political campaigns over three decades, said Trump could be both a hindrance and a help in November, depending on the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome candidates will continue to embrace Trump, while other battleground campaigns are weighing how closely to identify with him amid inflation concerns, the Iran war and his weak approval ratings,\u201d he told AFP.<\/p>\n
\u201cBottom line, Republicans can\u2019t break with Trump because Democrats and the media won\u2019t let them. But they can work to focus on local issues and priorities, and paint opponent Democrats as radical extremists.\u201d<\/p>\n