GOP insiders are becoming increasingly concerned the Donald Trump's visits to battleground states to promote local candidates may be having a negative effect on voters as the president seems more interested in talking about himself than the local candidate in need of a boost at the polls.
According to Axios, GOP operatives believe a Trump appearance can be helpful at drawing out enthusiastic voters, but that his rambling self-referential speeches overshadow his endorsement of the candidate.
With the Associated Press stating, "[Trump is] casting himself as the star of the midterms, eagerly inserting himself into hotly contested primaries, headlining rallies in pivotal swing states and increasing his fundraising efforts for Republicans," some Republicans say his belief in his own star power has become problematic.
Responding to Saturday's rally at an Ohio high school gym meant to boost the prospects of Republican Troy Balderson in a tightly contested special election scheduled for Tuesday, a top GOP operative confided "Today is a perfect example" of Trump's failings as an advocate for candidates.
"Instead of attacking [Democrat] Danny O'Connor he's attacking King James [popular NBA star LeBron James]. Are we talking about the economy or whether we need ICE?" he lamented.
Another GOP official said Trump's style is not conducive to building up the featured candidates.
"He could easily be very helpful but has no interest in staying on message," he confessed.