Empty seats, socialism and Trump dominate the Republican midterm convention

The two day Republican convention in Dallas showcased the party's biggest asset in trying to win competitive midterm races and its greatest obstacle: President Trump.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4933x3289+0+0/resize/4933x3289!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fda%2F3514750e4fea9aefbd77f3a6d4f8%2Fap26254098712836.jpg' alt='President Trump watches as balloons fall at the Republican convention Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Dallas.'/><p>The two day Republican convention in Dallas showcased the party's biggest asset in trying to win competitive midterm races and its greatest obstacle: President Trump.</p><p>(Image credit: Alex Brandon)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5962848' />