He struggles to move legislation. He can’t dodge scandal. And, hell no, he can’t do a press conference without tripping himself up. But even after seven months of rookie mistakes in Washington, President Trump still has political juice in the South.
With his blessing, incumbent Sen. Luther Stranger, R-Ala., managed a silver medal in a special Senate race, securing a September run-off and a second chance to win it all.
Just two hours after the polls closed, with 62 percent of precincts reporting, the AP called the race. Former Alabama Supreme Court Judge Roy Moore took 41 percent of the vote while Strange thumped Rep. Mo Brooks in the losers bracket 32 to 20 percent respectively.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was running interference for Strange from the beginning. Determined not to lose a loyal foot soldier, McConnell’s Super PAC, Senate Leadership Fund dropped more than $4 million on the race. But that cash wasn’t enough to guarantee victory.
A cantankerous conservative with a fraction of the funding, Brooks was nipping at the heels of the 6-foot, 9-inch tall Strange for months. Just a week out, at least one poll reported that Strange might miss the runoff altogether.
Then Trump happened.
While all eyes were focused on the escalating situation in North Korea, Trump stepped aside to call an unexpected audible. A little past 9 p.m. on Aug. 8, @realDonaldTrump tweeted his support for Strange. In a state Trump won by more than 27 points, the presidential vote of confidence cleared a lane wide enough for second place.
Strange had the sense to repeatedly hit that gap again and again at town halls and over the airways.
“I predict President Trump’s endorsement will be incredibly important because people want his agenda passed,” Strange said just hours after the polls opened. “I want his agenda passed. He has given me his endorsement and full support. I think that will make a difference today.”
And that raises an interesting question: in the clutch, where will Strange place his loyalty?
At odds lately, Trump and McConnell only recently united in their push for Strange. Of course, the majority leader was there from the beginning, but the president deserves credit for more than just the assist. He endorsed, he tweeted four times, and he recorded a last minute robocall that proved critical when voter turnout lagged.
Strange won’t have to answer that anytime soon. McConnell and company have pledged to spend up to $8 million to get Strange across the finish line. Any of the GOP Senate hopeful gearing up for 2018 better take notice.
At least for now, the road to the Senate goes through the White House.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
