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A4 U.S. NEWS
Monday 3 SepteMber 2018

2018’s most volatile candidate (it’s Trump) isn’t on ballot

By ZEKE MILLER and CATH- stayed out of the race and
ERINE LUCEY McSally handily defeated
Associated Press the two more controversial
WASHINGTON (AP) — candidates, averting what
Heading into the midterm GOP operatives believed
elections, the most volatile could have been a disaster
candidate this year isn’t on for the party this fall.
the ballot. But the president could not
But President Donald Trump be persuaded to stay silent
still loves to take his free- in other cases.
wheeling political stylings He supported Foster Friess
on the road on behalf of in the GOP gubernato-
his fellow Republicans and rial primary in Wyoming.
he’s raring to go for the Friess, who lost, was strongly
sprint to Nov. 6. backed by Trump Jr. Aides
His eagerness to campaign also had pushed Trump not
for candidates — and pro- to endorse Kansas Secre-
tect his political flank — has tary of State Kris Kobach in
led Republican officials his bid to be governor, but
and Trump’s political team Trump did at the last min-
to devise a strategy for ute, helping put Kobach
managing the president’s over the top in the primary
time. It’s designed to keep but making the race in No-
him in places where he can In this Aug. 30, 2018, photo, supporters of President Donald Trump, wearing Mike Braun for Congress vember more competitive
be helpful. shirts, cheer as he arrives for a campaign rally at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind. for Democrats.
They’re also determined to Associated Press Aides said they pick their
try to manage his unpre- enthusiasm gap and there or Senate. remains marked by turbu- battles with the president,
dictability so the party’s is nobody who can close It hasn’t all been smooth lence, insiders said the po- prioritizing races that could
strongest asset in turn- the enthusiasm gap quite sailing, and Trump created litical shop has managed swing the balance of con-
ing out core GOP vot- like the president.” an unnecessary political to impose some discipline. gressional control.
ers doesn’t end up doing Aides believe Trump’s firestorm with his delayed On potential endorse- For political travel, White
damage instead. drawing power is critical and muted response to ments, for example, politi- House staffers, who are co-
There’s a constant effort to to a strong turnout among the death of Sen. John Mc- cal director Bill Stepien and ordinating with party aides,
keep him on best behavior. the most loyal GOP voters, Cain. Still, aides think he adviser John DeStefano have divided the electoral
This past week, Trump which is helpful in many generally has grown more bring Trump detailed bind- map into places Trump
heeded pleas from advis- statewide contests. But his focused and disciplined ers on candidates’ vot- can be helpful and places
ers and Colorado Sen. Cory presence could be coun- entering the final push to ing records, including their where it’s better to send in
Gardner, head of the GOP terproductive in many the fall elections. past comments on Trump, others such as Pence, Cab-
Senate campaign commit- House districts where in- At his Indiana rally Thursday where they have broken inet secretaries or members
tee, to refrain from picking cumbents are struggling night, Trump stuck to famil- with the president and oth- of the first family.
a favorite in the fractious to hold onto voters in the iar themes, talking about er details. “He’s prioritizing places
Arizona primary, waiting center. tax cuts and trade tariffs, While Stepien and DeStefe- where he’s performed well
until after the results were in But this is a celebrity-turned- slamming high-tech com- no have gained influence, and where there’s a strong
to back the winner. Later, president who hardly is a panies, railing against the they must compete with network of grassroots sup-
at a rally in Indiana for Sen- selfless leader of his adop- Justice Department and other power centers. Vice port,” said North Carolina
ate candidate Mike Braun, tive party. He launched his calling MS-13 gang mem- President Mike Pence and Rep. Mark Meadows, chair-
the president largely stuck own re-election campaign bers animals. But he did not the White House office of man of the conservative
to his script, promoting his weeks after his swearing-in mention McCain, avoiding legislative affairs weigh in House Freedom Caucus.
agenda and criticizing Sen. last year, rather than wait- recounting the well-worn at times, and Donald Trump When Trump makes a po-
Joe Donnelly, D-Ind. ing until after the midterm tale about the senator’s Jr. has proved a powerful litical trip, aides try to make
“Senate Republicans will elections, as did his prede- pivotal vote against the influence. sure the candidate meets
not get to where they need cessors. With Democrats in- president’s health care bill. Some races have proved the president at the airport,
to go without the president creasingly optimistic about After a week in which complicated, as in the Ari- has time with him in the car
this fall. That means doing retaking the House, Trump aides pushed Trump to rise zona Senate race, where and gets the right sound
exactly what he’s been is motivated by self-protec- above his personal grudges Kelly Ward and former bites on stage. That script
doing,” said Josh Holmes, a tion. He’s keenly aware of against McCain, the mere Maricopa County Sheriff was followed Thursday with
longtime adviser to Senate the threats and investiga- fact that Trump kept the Joe Arpaio both promoted Braun; Trump called him a
Majority Leader Mitch Mc- tions that could come his senator out of his remarks their ties to Trump, as did “special guy” and prom-
Connell, R-Ky. “The great way if Democratic hold a was notable. establishment favorite Rep. ised that Braun would “be
danger in a midterm is an majority in either the House While Trump’s White House Martha McSally. Trump a truly great senator.”q