Veteran Republican strategist Karl Rove expressed nervousness Tuesday about the upcoming Republican convention, warning that centering midterm campaigns on President Donald Trump represents a "big bet" by the White House.
The convention, scheduled to begin Wednesday in Dallas, is taking place ahead of the November midterm elections, a departure from traditional presidential election year conventions. Rove suggested the timing is problematic, stating he would feel more comfortable if the event had occurred earlier in the campaign cycle.
"I’d be more comfortable if this had been held in June or July and set a thematic that could be pursued for four months or five months rather than for 56 days," Rove said on Fox News.
Rove's concerns echo a recent warning he issued in The Wall Street Journal, where he advised Republican candidates against making their campaigns solely about Trump, whose approval ratings have been declining. He argued that such a strategy would force candidates to constantly address Trump's controversial statements, overshadowing positive campaign messages about themselves or the GOP.
"The narrative won’t be on anything positive about them or the GOP," Rove wrote. He characterized the convention's Trump-focused approach as the White House "pushing all the chips on, saying we, if we make this about Donald Trump, and if we make it about Donald Trump’s record and put him at the center of this, then we’ve got a shot to pull this thing off."