Republicans arriving in Dallas for President Donald Trump's midterm convention are describing an atmosphere far removed from the triumphant spectacle organizers had planned, with candidates increasingly distancing themselves from the president over fears he could sink their campaigns in November.
"The vibes are very bad," a Republican lobbyist close to the White House told Politico Playbook. "Dems are salivating. Our people are debating Israel. Or melting down about this or that. No one is motivated to vote. Only the DSA rise is what's keeping us in the game."
One person close to the White House told Playbook the best outcome might simply be low viewership, given the convention's scheduling collision with NFL season openers.
"My only hope is that no one watches it," the person said. "Hopefully nobody notices the embarrassing show. ... I don't think it will matter. No one knows about it, no enthusiasm, and it's during football. Only D.C. people care."
The tension is playing out most visibly among vulnerable candidates walking a fine line. Eric Flores, running to unseat Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez in Texas' competitive 34th District, has quietly stripped "Trump Endorsed" and "Republican" language from his campaign signs since his primary — even as he's slated to speak at the convention Thursday.
A spokesperson insisted Flores still touts the president's endorsement online and that "his sign design choices are not" a real issue for voters.
Strategists told Playbook that Trump's speeches need to avoid indulgent tangents — "reflecting pools and helipads," as more than a dozen operatives put it — and instead hammer Democratic socialism and defend the economy, firing up low-propensity voters while persuading the undecided.
Not every Republican is leaning into that strategy. Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who will speak at the convention, argued she's built a brand distinct from Trump's. "I'm not running away from the president," she said, "but what I think is really unique about our relationship is I've been able to advise him from time to time on very important issues."
One operative said that independent branding is helping candidates like Luna survive what's otherwise a "pretty poor" environment for many GOP candidates.
“If you’re just a generic white Republican male, like Mike Collins or [Michael] Whatley … you’re struggling this cycle due to the national environment and the drag that the president’s popularity has on the ticket,” one senior GOP operative working on midterm races told Playbook.
RNC spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre stayed upbeat, calling Trump "the biggest turnout machine for our party by far."
But skepticism persists even among Trump's own allies. "We've proven that you can't" put Trump on the ballot by proxy, one person close to the White House said. "Could the fifth time be the charm? Sure. But we're defying the odds."