Trump, Vance Plan October Blitz to Lift GOP Turnout 2-3 Points as Senate Fears Deepen
Updated
Updated · CNN · Sep 28
Trump, Vance Plan October Blitz to Lift GOP Turnout 2-3 Points as Senate Fears Deepen
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Sep 28
Summary
Trump’s team is scheduling him for most days in October, with Vance as a key surrogate, in a turnout-focused push they see as Republicans’ best chance to hold Congress.
Advisers say the goal is to boost base turnout by 2-3 points in battleground and red-state districts because Trump’s low approval leaves little hope of winning many independents.
The strategy comes as GOP candidates increasingly distance themselves from Trump on the Iran war, prices and immigration, and as some Republicans warn his presence can also energize Democratic voters.
Money pressures are adding urgency: Senate Leadership Fund lifted Texas spending to $100 million for Ken Paxton, while Vance has been tasked with raising hard money for the RNC.
Republicans now fear losing the House and are less confident about the Senate, turning Trump’s midterm role into a catch-22 between maximizing MAGA turnout and worsening broader backlash.