‘A Mess!’ House Republicans Trash Trump’s Midterm Convention — Dozens Say They Will Blow It Off

(Sipa via AP Images)

New reporting on President Donald Trump’s already beleaguered midterm convention reveals that dozens of House Republicans plan to blow it off entirely.

Politico surveyed more than 70 GOP House members about whether they will attend the two-day confab on Sept. 9-10 in Dallas, and 45 said they will skip the event.

An unnamed Republican sounded off to Politico — calling the convention “a waste of time,” and added the planning has been “a mess.”

“You shouldn’t be having to rally your base at this point,” the anonymous Republican added. “You should be trying to convince independents. Independents are not attending nor watching the midterm convention.”

Trump will give the speech to close out the convention on Sept. 10 — as part of his reported and declared efforts to make the midterms a referendum on himself. But there are questions about whether members of Congress in close races want to be seen with him.

Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI) went on the record to Politico, acknowledging the possibility that Trump’s message could conflict with his own — as he tries to win reelection in a swing district.

“I can’t control what the president’s going to say at the convention, but I can control where I’m at, what I’m doing,” Barrett told the outlet.

This new report from Politico comes on the heels of recent reports from Puck and Reuters, which detailed complaints from House members that they’re being asked to pony up in excess of $25,000 to attend.

“I didn’t want to go anyways,” a second unnamed House Republican told Politico. “That made it easier.”

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) cited the price tag as a reason why he’s “not sure” whether he’s attending.

RNC national press secretary Natalie Baldassarre told Politico in a statement, “The outreach and enthusiasm to attend, participate, and speak at this historic midterm convention has been incredible.”

She added, “Republicans across the country are rallying behind President Trump’s America First agenda that’s brought lower drug prices, lower taxes, and a secure border, and this convention will provide the momentum needed to expand our majorities in November.”

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