Vulnerable GOP incumbents embrace Trump at first-ever midterm convention

DALLAS — President Donald Trump is getting a much warmer reception from his fellow Republicans during this election cycle than his predecessor did from Democrats this time two years ago. Conventional political wisdom dictates that the party in power will suffer losses in Congress during a midterm election year. Americans who oppose the president's party are typically more motivated to vote than people who support their agenda. But the GOP is banking on the opposite effect. The first-ever GOP midterm convention featured back-to-back keynote addresses from the commander in chief, as well as speeches from his Cabinet officials, allies and members of Congress. "I'm asking you to pretend that I'm on the ballot," Trump told his audience on Wednesday. Republican incumbents and candidates running in battleground districts this November also took the stage, and all speakers projected confidence despite Trump's own low approval numbers.