‘I’m on the ballot’: Trump tries to energize his base by placing himself front and center

DALLAS — President Donald Trump wants to make one thing clear: His name is not on the ballot in November, but his supporters need to vote like it is.

Republicans from across the country convened here Wednesday for their party’s first-ever midterm convention, an event designed to put Trump front and center in the closing stages of the midterm election cycle.

“Pretend that I am on the ballot,” Trump said to loud cheers during his keynote address Wednesday night. “I’m on the ballot.”

Indeed, Trump was the star of the show. Speakers mentioned his name 155 times, and Trump invoked his own name 16 times, bringing the total mentions to 171. The only other word mentioned more was variations of “America.”

Trump’s approval ratings are at an all-time low, and the party is worried about MAGA voters’ not turning out in large numbers — historically a problem for Republicans when Trump is not running.

Trump tried to energize his base with a speech that was a hallmark of his presidential campaign — lengthy, winding and full of insults directed at his opponents.

Trump leaned into the headwinds his party faces, walking the audience through the long-running political dynamic that the…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business