By
Margaret Hartmann,
senior editor for Intelligencer who has worked at New York since 2012
There was a time, not too long ago, when Republicans would be totally stoked to gather together and enjoy some classic Donald Trump rally rants. They’d pop on their MAGA hats, listen to some Lee Greenwood jams, and cheer as the president talked about how great he is and lashed out at the “Dumocrats.”
Now the first-ever Republican midterm convention is imminent. The party is set to gather at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on September 9 and 10. President Trump will appear both nights, and he has promised this will be “THE GREATEST RALLY OF THEM ALL.” Yet judging from the morose and catty comments GOP officials and operatives have made in recent days, it seems they’re not looking forward to it. Some fear the whole thing could backfire, making the GOP’s midterm prospects even dimmer.
