US Republicans open an extraordinary midterm convention in Dallas later on Wednesday betting that putting Donald Trump at the centre of their campaign can rescue a party facing grim election forecasts, despite the president's deeply negative approval ratings.
The two-day gathering, dubbed "Trumpapalooza," is designed to persuade the Republican leader's supporters that he is effectively on the ballot on 3 November, when Republicans risk losing the House of Representatives and face a fierce fight to retain the Senate.
"So what I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot," Trump said recently at a rally in South Carolina. "Just come and vote. It's so important."
Decision Desk HQ projects Democrats to win the House 230-205 and the Senate to finish 51-49 in their favour, revising its 50-50 prediction as the outlook continues to worsen for Republicans.
Trump, whose approval rating stood at just 33% in recent polling, will speak on both convention nights at the American Airlines Centre.
