Today, Donald Trump will officially accept the Republican nomination for President of the United States. With that, the jig is up for House Republicans: everyone down-ballot is on Team Trump in the eyes of general election voters. Vulnerable Republicans can say whatever they want about Trump, but he is their standard-bearer and they are all wearing the same jersey.
Conventions are the pivot into the general election, when voters – previously only focused on Trump – fully engage. After this week’s dark, ugly and chaotic Convention, Trump will further define the entire Republican Party in the worst way possible, and voters will apply what they already know and dislike about Trump to all those Republicans running with him down-ballot.
More than ever, House Republicans must explain to voters why the racist, bigoted, egomaniac Donald Trump is their standard-bearer.
“Anger, chaos and ugliness have been on full display this week in Cleveland, capped off with Donald Trump officially accepting the Republican nomination for president. From this point forward, all House Republicans will sport the Team Trump jersey in the eyes of general election voters. There is nothing they can say or do to blunt the impact,” said Meredith Kelly of the DCCC.