Trump wants voters to pretend he’s on the ballot. The Republican Party is going along for the ride

President Donald Trump is actively trying to entice Republican voters to focus their attention on him during this week's Republican convention in Dallas, hoping to secure a midterm election victory for his party. This is despite the fact that he is not officially on the ballot. The Republican Party is excited about the prospect, even going as far as selling merchandise featuring Trump as the Marlboro Man.

The president plans to give a keynote speech on Wednesday and then close remarks on Thursday, effectively making the two-day event about himself. While the Republican Party seems enthusiastic about the event and even sees it as instructive, it remains to be seen if Trump's influence will translate into voter support. Some Democrats are skeptical about the effectiveness of the convention in rallying the Republican base, pointing out the lack of a clear message.

The president's own low approval ratings and ongoing political issues, such as the war in Iran and economic concerns, may also hinder the GOP's efforts during the midterms.