President Trump went way off script — if he ever had one to begin with — in a Saturday night rally stumping for Republican candidate Rick Saccone, disparaging everyone from “low IQ” Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., to NBC’s “sleepy” Chuck Todd.
Saccone is locked in a tough race against Democrat Conor Lamb in a Pennsylvania district Mr. Trump won by 20 points in 2016. The president’s speech came just days before the special congressional election Tuesday.
Republicans are doing all they can to keep that district red, so Mr. Trump came to rally. On Saturday afternoon, people lined up in the 18th District long before doors opened for the president’s 7 p.m. speech.
But Saccone has been struggling to gain enthusiasm in Trump country. In the days leading up to the special election, he had little presence in the airwaves or on the streets. Even some Republicans admit that Lamb, who is also a veteran, is a better candidate.
For Mr. Trump, now that he has chosen to insert himself into the race, after a string of Republican losses in special elections, it may also be a test of his ability to help win elections.
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