Everywhere he goes on the campaign trail, Trump is telling Republican voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot.” He’s not, of course, but his approval rating is so low that telling voters to “pretend” he’s on the ballot is backfiring big-time. Which is why so many Republican candidates are trying to distance themselves from him. They’re not mentioning his name. They’re not talking about his policies. They avoid the word “MAGA.” A dozen have removed his name, image, or endorsements from their campaign websites. They don’t want to appear with him. When Mike Schrimpf, a spokesman for John Sununu’s Senate campaign, was asked why Trump isn’t campaigning with Sununu, Schrimpf limply explained,“John’s focus the entire campaign has been on New Hampshire, and [he] doesn’t plan to campaign with anyone from outside New Hampshire.” Maine’s Republican Sen. Susan Collins told The New York Times she has no plans to campaign with Trump. Several prominent Republican candidates are openly criticizing T...
