National Republicans are far from intimidated by President Donald Trump's brand of chaos and want him to be the tip of the spear in helping to maintain - if not grow - their Senate majority, Politico reports.
Trump would mostly be used to play offense against Democratic incumbents; Senate Republicans are defending just nine seats in November compared to 25 for the leftists.
The prime targets to deploy Trump — red states he carried convincingly in 2016 being defended by Democrats:
- West Virginia, defended by Sen. Joe Manchin
- North Dakota, defended by Sen. Heidi Heitkamp
- Indiana, defended by Sen. Joe Donnelly
- Missouri, defended by Sen. Claire McCaskill
- Montana, defended by Sen. Jon Tester
"If you look at a race in a state like Missouri or North Dakota — or any of these states — he'll be very involved," Sen. Cory Gardner, chairman of National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), told Politico. "He'll be actively campaigning for a Senate majority."
In fact Gardner, R-Colo., is bullish on Republicans' chances to grow their majority in the Senate.
Republicans also plan to wield Trump in second tier states as well — Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida, Politico reports.
The approach stands in stark contrast to vulnerable House Republican incumbents, most of whom do not want the president's help in any capacity. They've seen what Trump's help looks like in the dubious recent special elections that have stunningly gone to Democrats.
But a strategy geared toward offense — flipping a Senate seat held by a Democrat — is perfect for Senate Republicans; there's nothing to lose.
"He's going to trash me. Have you met him? His method in campaigns is to trash, in fact, do character assaults on opponents," McCaskill told Politico.
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