{"id":2629094,"date":"2026-07-13T12:04:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T16:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-will-use-midterm-convention-to-draw-contrast-with-wacky-democrats\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T12:06:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T16:06:41","slug":"trump-will-use-midterm-convention-to-draw-contrast-with-wacky-democrats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-will-use-midterm-convention-to-draw-contrast-with-wacky-democrats\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump will use midterm convention to draw contrast with &#8216;wacky&#8217; Democrats"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-will-use-midterm-convention-to-draw-contrast-with-wacky-democrats%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2629094&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses President Donald Trump&#8217;s upcoming plans for the midterm convention, highlighting his intention to use his speech to contrast Republican positions-such as tax cuts and border security-with Democratic proposals like increased taxes and liberal policies. trump aims to energize supporters ahead of crucial elections by hosting a historic, unprecedented midterm convention in Dallas that will focus on campaigning rather than party business, raising significant funds through VIP memberships. Trump&#8217;s strategy involves emphasizing contrasts between Republican achievements and Democratic extremism, despite his low approval ratings and potential challenges. Meanwhile, GOP figures like John Kennedy honor lindsey Graham with a brief tribute, recalling his experienced and unpredictable persona.The piece also touches on other political analysis, polls, and upcoming events, providing insight into the current political landscape leading up to the midterms.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Welcome to Monday\u2019s edition of <\/em>Washington Secrets<em>. Today, we get the inside line on President Donald Trump\u2019s plans for the midterm convention and how he will use it to seize control of November\u2019s elections. Plus, we cast our eye on an interestingly brief tribute to Lindsey Graham from one of his most quotable colleagues \u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> addresses the Republican midterm convention in September, he will use his speech to draw a clear contrast with Democrats who want to raise taxes and relax border restrictions, according to one of his closest advisers.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/4643610\/white-house-report-card-winning-iran-war-not-trump\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>White House report card: Who\u2019s winning the Iran war? Not Trump<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/4638628\/brick-suit-guy-going-full-time\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Brick Suit Guy is going full-time<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/4636975\/republicans-pick-vance-top-beer-buddy\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Republicans pick Vance as top beer buddy among 2028 hopefuls<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRight now the Democrats want to run a referendum on President Trump, and President Trump\u2019s not on the ballot,\u201d said John McLaughlin, known as Trump\u2019s favorite pollster.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, Trump can point to Democrats who are winning primaries with socialist platforms or to the debacle in Maine, where <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\">Graham Platner<\/a> was accused of rape \u2014 he denies the allegations but has withdrawn from the race. Rather than a referendum on Trump, Republicans will run a contrast campaign, setting out their tax cuts and a secure border alongside a Democratic wish list of liberal policies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhether they\u2019re running for Senate or governors or Congress, the Democrats are proving to be quite an asset to Republicans, particularly as they nominate the more extreme candidates,\u201d McLaughlin told <em>Secrets<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou\u2019ve got big-government socialists, you\u2019ve got people accused of sex offenses, so the idea is to draw that contrast with the Democrats.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is a tough thing to do. Trump\u2019s war in Iran, affordability worries, and headlines about reflecting pools mean Democrats have plenty of ammunition to work with if they want to make everything about the president.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Trump has an extra card to play. He recently announced that his party will hold its first-ever national convention ahead of the midterm elections in Dallas.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is designed to help energize his supporters as Republicans try to hold narrow congressional majorities.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike the conventions held in presidential election years, there will be no party business. Instead, it will be a chance to take the fight to Democrats and raise potloads of cash.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt has never been done before, and will be a truly Historic Event,\u201d Trump said <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4631772\/trump-dallas-republican-midterm-convention\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4631772\/trump-dallas-republican-midterm-convention\/\">when he made the announcement<\/a>, promising it would feature \u201cGreat Entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Secrets <\/em>has obtained an invitation from the California delegation revealing just how important it will be for funds. For $250,000, attendees can buy a \u201cgolden VIP\u201d membership. It comes with four floor badges, four hotel rooms, gifts, and concierge services for the weekend.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cheaper options are available. And anyone can secure access to a VIP lounge if they have $1,500 to spend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, Trump will spend part of Monday thinking about the midterm elections. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, are due in the Oval Office this afternoon to discuss election strategy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Somehow, they hope to break the cycle where parties that control the White House, Senate, and House receive a shellacking from voters.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">McLaughlin said Trump\u2019s convention speech would likely represent a continuation of his State of the Union address.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In February, he won the battle for headlines with a State of the Union address that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4470743\/trump-shames-democrats-protect-americans-illegal-immigrants\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4470743\/trump-shames-democrats-protect-americans-illegal-immigrants\/\">turned the spotlight on Democratic members<\/a> of Congress who refused to stand when asked whether they believed the first duty of the government was to protect American citizens, not undocumented immigrants. The clips of stone-faced Democrats anchored to their seats went viral.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe president had a very good start with the State of the Union, and I think we\u2019re going to see a continuation of that,\u201d McLaughlin said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got candidates fighting for office right now who think Iran having nuclear weapons and supporting terrorism is just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In contrast, he pointed to polling that showed 80% of people support voter ID rules, a key Republican initiative.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRepublicans have very popular positions on the issues, whether it\u2019s passing voter ID and proof of citizenship, voting for tax cuts rather than tax increases, voting to secure the border and make sure that the only people that are here are here legally, when the Democrats want open borders, so it would be a wasted opportunity of a great historic event with the first midterm convention, not to draw a solid contrast with the Democrats,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said voters will be given a clear choice in November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe midterms will be a choice between common sense and crazy,\u201d Marinella said. \u201cRepublicans are united around delivering results for working families, while Democrats are racing even further to the radical left by caving to the socialists, and that\u2019s a contrast we\u2019re eager to make in every competitive district.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4604445\/republicans-midterm-convention-trump\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4604445\/republicans-midterm-convention-trump\/\"><strong>REPUBLICANS BUILD MIDTERM CONVENTION AROUND TRUMP TO BOLSTER TURNOUT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Skeptics will wonder at the wisdom of a convention where an unpopular president is front and center. Recent polls put Trump\u2019s approval rating at near historic lows.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">McLaughlin said many polls were methodologically suspect. They tended to include too many people who likely would not vote in November, and often balanced the number of people who voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 with Trump voters, despite the Republican\u2019s win.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey are deliberately skewing the polls,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democrats weighed having their own midterm conference to counter what is already being dubbed a Trumpalooza in Dallas. They decided against it, figuring time and effort would be better spent by directing resources to states rather than a national event.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nonsense, McLaughlin said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe last thing the Democrats want to do is bring all their wacky extreme candidates into one place for the country to see,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-john-kennedy-s-tribute-to-lindsey-graham\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">John Kennedy\u2019s tribute to Lindsey Graham<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) is known for his colorful quotes and pithy commentary. So <em>Secrets<\/em> was disappointed in his brief tribute on Sunday to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\">Sen Lindsey Graham<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAmerica weeps,\u201d he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SenJohnKennedy\/status\/2076378494158664002\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SenJohnKennedy\/status\/2076378494158664002\">posted on X<\/a> with a photo of the late senator. A second post followed, in the form of a seven-word credit naming the photographer and photo agency.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fear not. As regular readers of this newsletter will know, the Louisiana senator had been more complete with his pen portrait of Graham in his bestselling book, describing him as \u201cexperienced, whip-smart\u201d and able to \u201ctalk intelligently on just about anything.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf you want to stump Lindsey, just ask him to name a country he wouldn\u2019t bomb,\u201d Kennedy writes in <em>How to Test Negative for Stupid: And Why Washington Never Will<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Later, he describes his unpredictability.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cInvite him to dinner, and you don\u2019t know if he\u2019ll sit down for an intelligent conversation or get drunk and vomit in the fish tank. But that\u2019s why I like him.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4645427\/byron-york-lindsey-graham-death\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4645427\/byron-york-lindsey-graham-death\/\">BYRON YORK ON LINDSEY GRAHAM: He was \u2018in the center of whatever\u2019s going on\u2019 for decades<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-lunchtime-reading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lunchtime reading<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/07\/13\/us\/politics\/israel-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-iran.html\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/07\/13\/us\/politics\/israel-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-iran.html\"><strong>Inside Israel\u2019s Secret Operation to Cultivate Ahmadinejad<\/strong><\/a>: Absolute marmalade dropper of an article (essentially a story that would make you drop your breakfast in the days when newspapers were read over toast and coffee). It was the Mossad, apparently, that rescued the former Iranian president when his house was bombed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/arts-culture\/books\/listening-to-homers-odyssey-an-epic-experience-625abe4f?st=rKQrjA&#038;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/arts-culture\/books\/listening-to-homers-odyssey-an-epic-experience-625abe4f?st=rKQrjA&#038;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink\"><strong>Listening to Homer\u2019s \u2018Odyssey\u2019: An Epic Experience<\/strong><\/a>: <em>Secrets<\/em> is looking forward to the release of Christopher Nolan\u2019s movie adaptation this week and can\u2019t get enough Homer content.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>You are reading <\/em>Washington Secrets<em>, a guide to power and politics in D.C. and beyond. It is written by Rob Crilly, who you can reach at<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#aad9cfc9d8cfded9eaddcbd9c2c3c4cddec5c4cfd2cbc7c3c4cfd884c9c5c7\"> <span class=\"__cf_email__\" data-cfemail=\"0c7f696f7e69787f4c7b6d7f6465626b78636269746d616562697e226f6361\">[email\u00a0protected]<\/span><\/a> with your comments, story tips, and suggestions. If a friend sent you this and you\u2019d like to sign up, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/click1.trk-washingtonexaminer.com\/xprvgynrhhctscghtpnrptnqlrtypjmjlkrlcnpvhgpdcr_jtjrvfbrrsmwbqmnsbmvsv.html?a=Washington+Secrets+Lara+Trump&#038;b=01%2F21%2F2026&#038;c=WEX_Washington+Secrets&#038;d=25812206&#038;e=da31c45955c9411a6c40ecd0e967fa8def1f0fc08362faaa0dee09386ff5c41b\">click here<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump to use midterm convention to contrast Democrats and boost turnout<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4136,"featured_media":2629095,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP24201487743609.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[3685,7408,5894,3634],"class_list":["post-2629094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-democrats","tag-midterms","tag-politics","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP24201487743609.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2629094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4136"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2629094"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2629094\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2629098,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2629094\/revisions\/2629098"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2629095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2629094"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2629094"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2629094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}