ELECTION/TEXAS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “President Donald Trump says he’ll ride to the rescue of one-time bitter rival Sen. Ted Cruz this fall, the strongest indication yet that the Texas conservative firebrand is getting nervous about his challenger, a liberal darling with a growing national profile. Trump tweeted Friday [8-31-18] that he will headline ‘a major rally’ for Cruz in October and is ‘picking the biggest stadium in Texas we can find.’ He added, ‘Ted has my complete and total Endorsement (sic),’ and called Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke ‘a disaster for Texas – weak on Second Amendment, Crime, Borders, Military, and Vets!’ The tweet of support was a long way from Trump’s previous assessment of Cruz’ record. He once declared the senator ‘has accomplished absolutely nothing’ for Texans. Cruz has labeled Trump ‘a sniveling coward.’ But the promise of presidential assistance suggested Cruz — and his party — are feeling the heat. Trump has long planned to travel to bolster Republican candidates before November’s midterm elections, but he was not expected to spend valuable time in reliably-red Texas for a race that for months looked like a Cruz cakewalk.”
–The Associated Press, “Trump to Stump for One-Time Rival Cruz in Texas in October,” The New York Times online, August 31, 2018