Exclusive: GOP plans socialism telethon at midterm convention
Republicans plan to use their first-ever midterm convention in Dallas next month to mount a sweeping, made-for-prime-time case that Democrats have become captive to their activist left, Axios has learned.Why it matters: With President Trump's approval rating in the 30s and his war in Iran weighing on the economy, Republicans don't want the Nov. 3 midterms to be just a referendum on his presidency.They're essentially planning a "But they're worse" campaign targeting the ascendant Democratic left and socialism.Driving the news: Republicans will make progressive politicians and activists recurring characters throughout the Sept.
Reported by 1 outlet — Axios. See all sources ↓
Republicans plan to use their first-ever midterm convention in Dallas next month to mount a sweeping, made-for-prime-time case that Democrats have become captive to their activist left, Axios has learned.Why it matters: With President Trump's approval rating in the 30s and his war in Iran weighing on the economy, Republicans don't want the Nov. 3 midterms to be just a referendum on his presidency.They're essentially planning a "But they're worse" campaign targeting the ascendant Democratic left and socialism.Driving the news: Republicans will make progressive politicians and activists recurring characters throughout the Sept. 9-10 convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.GOP operatives spent months compiling footage of Democratic figures — including left-wing commentator Hasan Piker and Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico — that they'll use throughout the convention to paint Democrats as outside the mainstream."Our video trove is endless," a convention source told Axios.Organizers will particularly focus on Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan, who backs Medicare for All and criticizes Israel.Trump has blasted El-Sayed, a Muslim, as a "communist" and a "man of hate" who "hates Israel." (El-Sayed, an epidemiologist, has said he's a capitalist who disagrees with Israel's actions in Gaza, not his "sisters and brothers of the Jewish faith.")Zoom in: Months of polling shaped the GOP convention, organizers say."Everyday Americans" will tout Republican achievements on cutting taxes, lowering prescription drug costs and improving border security — a tactic organizers say worked at the 2024 convention.Organizers believe that will reinforce their argument that Republicans are focused on kitchen-table issues while Democrats have been overtaken by left-wingers whose policies will hurt Americans.The convention will be making that argument at a time when many Republicans have been frustrated by Trump's lack of focus on the economy and affordability issues.Republicans will also spotlight Trump's tax exemption for some tipped income, crime-focused urban policies and the administration's new child investment accounts.Other points of focus will be Vice President Vance's "anti-fraud" task force and Health Secretary Robert F.
Read the full report at Axios ↗
Why it matters
A world story we're tracking; its significance and source trust firm up as more outlets confirm it.
- What's the story?
- Republicans plan to use their first-ever midterm convention in Dallas next month to mount a sweeping, made-for-prime-time case that Democrats have become captive to their activist left, Axios has learned.Why it matters: With President Trump's approval rating in the 30s and his war in Iran weighing on the economy, Republicans don't want the Nov. 3 midterms to be just a referendum on his presidency.They're essentially planning a "But they're worse" campaign targeting the ascendant Democratic left and socialism.Driving the news: Republicans will make progressive politicians and activists recurring characters throughout the Sept.
- How widely is it covered?
- 1 outlet, average source rating 7.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 5m ago.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
- Coverage card1 outlet1CoverageScouting report
Exclusive: GOP plans socialism telethon at midterm convention
Sources1TypeCoverageAxios