GOP Offering Free Tickets to Fill Trump's Dallas Convention
The Republican National Committee is staging an unprecedented two-night midterm convention in Dallas, betting that Trump's presence can reverse the party's predicted losses in November.
- The RNC reported a record $130.3 million cash on hand at the end of July.
- The DNC reported roughly $16 million at the same time, plus nearly $18 million in debt.
- Dallas estimates it will spend roughly $2.5 million on security and related services.
- Most congressional Republicans are paying roughly $25,000 each to attend.
Why it matters: The convention is designed to frame November's midterms as a referendum on Trump, even though his name will not appear on any ballot. Traditionally, the president's party loses seats in midterm elections.
- Many candidates in tight races have declined to attend, citing time away from the campaign trail.
- GOP strategist Charlie Black said the president's approval rating is a liability and candidates are better off keeping voter focus on local issues.
How 20 sources split on this story
Where they split: The core dispute is whether Trump's high-profile presence will energize Republican base voters enough to offset the risk of tying vulnerable candidates to an unpopular president.
Associated Press6hWhat to watch as Republicans gather in Dallas for Trump's unusual midterm conventionTDMNThe Dallas Morning News18hHow Texas Republicans are getting into Trump’s unusual Dallas convention
Reuters18mExplainer: What to know about Trump's unusual midterm conventionYNYahoo News6hTrump wants voters to pretend he’s on the ballot. The Republican Party is going along for the rideLeft coverage, 8 sources: The left frames the convention as a desperate, costly spectacle that exposes the GOP's dependence on a politically damaged president while ignoring an affordability crisis.
AlterNet17hTrump’s next move marches Republicans toward 'political suicide'
The Independent45mAnxious Republicans watch from the sidelines as Trump keeps tight grip on cash and spotlightTBGThe Boston Globe6hWhat to watch as Republicans gather in Dallas for Trump’s unusual midterm convention
ABC News3hWhat to watch as Republicans gather in Dallas for Trump's unusual midterm convention
Political Wire26mTrump Dominates GOP Gathering Ahead of Midterms
Politico2hRepublicans are hoping ‘Trump-a-palooza’ isn’t only about Trump
Raw Story15hGOP pumps 'Trump-a-Palooza' with free tickets — but there's a big catch
The Guardian1dRepublican midterm convention will be ‘Trumpist pageantry’ – at the party’s own riskRight coverage, 8 sources: The right frames the convention as an energetic and strategically sound effort to mobilize the base and draw a clear contrast with Democrats on taxes, crime, and border security.
ZeroHedge20hGOP Bets On Trumpapalooza To Defy Midterm History
New York Post12hTV networks non-committal to GOP midterm convention as NFL serves up big competition
The Epoch Times10hRepublicans Gear Up for Unprecedented Midterm Convention in Texas
Fox News1hGOP faces brutal midterm headwinds as Republicans paint election as ‘competition with communism’
Newsmax22hTrump to Headline Historic GOP Midterm Convention
RedState18hJohn Thune Will Apparently Be Sitting at the Kids' Table for Trump-A-PaloozaTSTexas Scorecard19hTexas Republicans Set to Take Center Stage at Historic Midterm Convention
The Washington Times20hTrump-a-palooza: GOP throws midterm convention to boost voter turnout in NovemberWhat’s next: Senate Majority Leader John Thune will attend but is not on the speaker lineup, following months of public clashes with Trump over the filibuster and voter ID legislation.
- Trump told Punchbowl News he declined to explicitly endorse Thune for another term as Senate GOP leader.
- Paxton is running neck-and-neck with Democrat James Talarico in the Texas Senate race the convention is partly meant to boost.
- Whether Trump's convention appearances will drive turnout among low- and mid-propensity voters or further depress enthusiasm among swing-district Republicans.
- Whether Thune's absence from the stage signals a lasting rift with Trump that could affect Senate leadership after November.
- Whether the convention produces measurable fundraising or polling gains for Paxton before Election Day.