President Donald Trump’s unusual midterm convention in Texas next week will be missing a substantial number of GOP lawmakers, who admit they have better things to do.
In interviews with Politico, over 45 GOP members of Congress begged off, saying they need to be on the campaign trail, would rather spend time with their families, or see no value in it.
“President Donald Trump has a vision for next week’s GOP convention in Dallas: a televised spectacle putting Republican candidates in front of midterm voters and top party donors just two months before the Election Day — with Trump himself headlining the show,” Politico is reporting, before adding that GOP lawmakers aren’t taking the bait.
Some cited scheduling conflicts that predated the convention’s June announcement, others pointed to weddings and family events, and still others balked at the “five-figure fees party officials want attendees to pay.” Republicans in tough races are also increasingly wary of associating too closely with the polarizing president so close to the midterm election.
“I just felt I’d be more useful in my district,” said Rep. Tom Barrett, who faces a tough race to keep his central Michigan seat. Asked whether Trump’s convention remarks could cause him trouble back home, Barrett said, “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.”
Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) said simply, “I’m going to be in my district.” Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) said, “I’m not sure yet,” while Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) plans to visit colleges with his daughter instead. Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO), isn’t planning to attend either, according to people granted anonymity to describe his decision.
One GOP lawmaker, who did not want their name used, poured cold water on the idea of the gathering calling it “a waste of time” and said the planning has been “a mess.”
“You shouldn’t be having to rally your base at this point,” the member said. “You should be trying to convince independents. Independents are not attending nor watching the midterm convention.”
Another noted the $25,000 “minimum attendee donation” suggested by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), and glibly stated: “I didn’t want to go anyways. That made it easier.”
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