Source: Fox News
Summary
President Donald Trump’s approval ratings remain high among Republicans, and his endorsements in GOP primaries are highly influential. Republican incumbents facing primary challenges from Trump-backed candidates are trying to make it appear that the president is supporting them anyway. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky are using campaign ads to highlight their support for Trump’s agenda and nominees, despite not having received his endorsement. Similarly, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas is spotlighting his support for Trump in his statements and ads, although Trump has remained neutral in his primary runoff election.
Our Reading
As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
Trump’s endorsement is king in any primary, and Republican incumbents are trying to claim it. Cassidy and Massie are using campaign ads to show their support for Trump, while Cornyn is highlighting his backing of the president. The ads are a delicate dance, as Trump’s allies have spent big bucks to boost his endorsed candidates. The incumbents are walking a fine line, trying not to earn Trump’s wrath by portraying a false endorsement.
It’s a familiar phase in the Republican primaries: the quest for Trump’s endorsement, and the creative ways candidates try to claim it.
One observation: the ads are not about policy or issues, but about who has Trump’s backing.
Author: Evan Null
