As tonight’s rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania shows, Donald Trump wants to be out in front of the cameras going into the 2022 midterm elections. Whether it’s because he believes he can help candidates or because he’s trying to present a public defense to the multiple legal crises he created, he wants to have an overwhelming public presence.
According to the Washington Post, Trump intends to be more involved in campaigning in October than in September. Trump advocates say that he will drive turnout from the Party’s base during the midterms, even for moderate Republican candidates MAGAts would typically be tepid about.
But moderates may want Trump to stay away, hoping to solidify the moderate, traditional conservatives as well as moderate Independents. Trump’s appearances, endorsements or mere mentioning of the candidate could turn off enough voters to swing an election.
If Trump wants to make the election about Trump and Trump’s troubles, Republicans should cringe: Americans overwhelming favor continuing the various investigations into Trump, his handling of government documents, his manipulation of financial statements and his election interference.