NPR

Trump Is Sticking To His Playbook To Win The Midterms

His approval numbers, the economy — even the Russia probe — could all help Trump boost the GOP. But some in the White House worry Republicans in Congress don't understand the headwinds 2018 brings.

Donald Trump and his party are gearing up for a hard-fought midterm election. But the president loves to campaign and he's already started to raise lots of money and hold lots of big rallies for Republicans.

It's part of a larger playbook that his advisers think can keep the GOP in power this fall, and they think so far it's on track, despite the president's tendency to go off script on Twitter or during political speeches.

The White House is also sending out warnings to congressional Republicans that, while they think the president is pulling his weight, folks on Capitol Hill need to take the political challenges they face this fall more seriously.

"This is what a midterm president looks like"

Donald Trump has famously discarded a lot of political traditions. But he's approaching the November elections in a remarkably traditional way.

He raises money. He holds rallies to motivate his base. At a rally in Indiana recently he reminded his supporters that

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