President Trump is making the upcoming midterms a referendum on himself, a strategy many Republicans reluctantly accept despite fears of unpopularity. Republicans are too scared to directly tell Trump how unpopular he is, yet they need his low-propensity voters to turn out. This leads them to support a Trump-focused strategy that many believe could cost them credibility and seats. A top Republican campaign official acknowledged they are "stuck on the boat with him," hoping for a "rising tide" that only the White House seems sure about. Trump is headlining an unprecedented midterm convention in Dallas, where he plans to speak both nights. His first two TV ads for the midterms feature him prominently, with one solely about him and the other more conventional. Trump insisted on ads focusing on him, believing midterms are inherently referendums on the president. While some advisers indicate a future shift to more conventional anti-Democrat ads, the initial focus is on appeasing "the audience of one." Trump acknowledges historical midterm losses for sitting presidents but boasts about his accomplishments and a "billion" dollars he can spend. However, the exact mechanism for spending this sum in two months remains unclear. Republican strategists note that while Trump's tax cut message is good, voters increasingly blame him for rising gas prices due to the war in Iran. The convention's timing, competing with NFL season openers, also draws concern, with many candidates opting not to attend. Despite potential drawbacks, turning down Trump's campaign support is difficult, as it risks punishment, highlighting the difficult position Republicans face.