For the first time since Democrats tried it twice (with poor results) in the 1970s, a major U.S. political party is holding a “midterm national convention.” Republicans are convening in Dallas on Wednesday and Thursday this week. One would normally expect such an event to focus relentlessly on poll-tested messaging, particularly when held in proximity to the actual midterm election (early voting begins in some states in ten days). But that does not seem to be the case with this confab at all. Everything we’ve heard about the midterm convention suggests two overriding purposes: to raise money and to glorify President Trump.

The moneygrubbing that will go on during this event is at world-class levels, as Punchbowl News notes:

The goal of the party committees and super PACs is to convince the check writers that they’re the best investment to save the endangered GOP majorities on Capitol Hill with just 56 days to go …Trump will appear at an RNC roundtable Wednesday. The get-in-the-door price is $250,000. If you want a photo with the president, that will run you $88,600.Vance has his RNC fundraiser Thursday. The roundtable for the VP is $75,000 per person. A photo will cost $35,000 …Senate Leadership Fund, the Senate GOP super PAC, has a number of events in Texas, the cycle’s surprise battleground state …House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has a big event that benefits Defend Our Majority, a joint fundraising committee the Louisiana Republican uses to help fund GOP candidates and incumbents …To get in the door of the Scalise event is $10,000, but there are also $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000 level tickets.

The goal of the party committees and super PACs is to convince the check writers that they’re the best investment to save the endangered GOP majorities on Capitol Hill with just 56........

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