ANALYSIS — While candidates typically scour the landscape for support of any kind ahead of a competitive primary, there’s only one person whose endorsement matters on the Republican side: President Donald J. Trump.
That’s why Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas are struggling to survive reelection this year with the leader of their party either endorsing an opponent or declining to weigh in.
For years, candidates have made pilgrimages to the White House and Mar-a-Lago for a chance to make their case to the president or even aired TV ads in the West Palm Beach media market with hopes of catching Trump’s attention while he’s in Florida watching cable news.
