DALLAS, Texas (AP) — US President Donald Trump and his Vice President JD Vance teamed up Thursday to close out the second and final night of the Republicans’ midterm convention in Dallas, imploring voters to stick together to save their party’s majorities in Congress.

Republicans know they are up against history, which traditionally rebuffs the party in power during midterms, but they’re relying on Trump’s personal appeal to voters. Vance, with a primetime speaking slot right before the president, was widely watched as a potential heir to the “Make America Great Again” movement.

Trump organized the convention hoping to rally voters who turn out for him, but not for other candidates.

“You got to do me the biggest favor you’ve ever done,” Trump told the crowd. “You’ve got to do this for me.”

At one point he led the crowd in a repeat-after-me pledge to swear to vote on November 3.

Vance delivered searing criticism of Democrats, calling them “the party of hatred.” And even though Republicans have faced their own rifts over Trump’s war in Iran and other issues, he urged them to remain united for the midterms.

“Don’t give the country over to a bunch of crazy people because you happen to disagree with us on a policy issue here or there,” he said.

Work to avoid midterm losses in November

Republicans face a potential reckoning this fall. They are struggling to bolster enthusiasm for congressional candidates and laboring to overcome voters’ concerns about the economy and the war with Iran. While many Republicans skipped the confab at American Airlines Center, others still see solidarity with Trump as their best shot at winning, despite the president’s low approval rating.

Republicans spent two consecutive nights denouncing Democrats as extremists, and Trump capped Wednesday by making the outlandish promise of $5,000 to each American adult if his party wins in November. Such a proposal could cost more than $1 trillion and was roundly panned — even by some Republicans.

As the convention ended, Cheryl McClure of Mansfield, Texas, said she hopes her party’s fortunes improve.

“People are talking about what’s happening at the grocery store, and are understandably still afraid, but things are getting better, and it’s our job to spread the word,” she said. “The........

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