HOUSTON – President Donald Trump loves a rally.

The bigger the crowds, the more he believes his increased presence on the campaign trail in recent weeks is generating “spirit” and brightening Republican prospects in what many predict will nevertheless be a rough midterm election for the GOP.

As he flew to Houston on Monday for a rally to support Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, he proudly showed USA TODAY a livestream on an aide’s smart phone picturing thousands of supporters winding their way into the Toyota Center, home of Houston Rockets.

“I have the same feeling that I had in 2016,” he said in an interview. “I think we’re going to do well.”

Trump has repeatedlyexpressed optimism that Republicans would not only hold their majority in the Senate but perhaps expand it – in large part because of his events in big venues in battleground states including Montana, Nevada, North Dakota and Indiana. By Election Day, he likely will have held more than 30 rallies and fundraisers in the final five weeks of the campaign, a number exceeding the mid-term activity of predecessors Barack Obama and George W. Bush.

 

Source: Midterms: Donald Trump is bullish about Republican chances, his agenda