Trump's 'risky' GOP convention idea shows his 'stranglehold' is slipping: analysts

President Donald Trump's unusual decision to host a midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, this fall could have unexpected consequences for Republicans, a CNN analyst warned on Wednesday.

Journalist Chuck Todd told CNN anchor Erica Hill that the event, hosted by the Republican National Committee on Sept. 9 and 10, has been touted as an attempt to drive voter enthusiasm ahead of the crucial elections this fall — without Trump on the ballot — but that it might not benefit the GOP.

"I think the Democrats will help pay for this Convention," Todd said. "I think they would love to see this race as nationalized as possible in the midterm elections. The more nationalized they are, the worse that is for the incumbent party."

Todd pointed to history and emphasized the convention could ultimately backfire for Republicans.

"Doing this the way that Trump wants to do it, making it about him, making it about you're either with Trump or you're against Trump, that's the frame, frankly, Democrats would love to go into the general election with," Todd explained.

He also described how GOP insiders were strategizing to target moderate Republican voters.

"Now I understand why there are some that argue inside the Republican Party, knowing that Trump is unpopular with the middle, that say, 'This is a turnout election. We're not trying to persuade anybody. We've got to find ways to fire up the MAGA base,' and the MAGA base has never shown up when Donald Trump hasn't been on the ballot," Todd said.

"So, this is an attempt to do that. I'm skeptical this is going to work, especially at a time when he's more unpopular now than he has been at any moment of his stranglehold on the Republican Party," Todd added. "So ... Democrats will help pay for this convention if they promise to nationalize this message and make it all about Trump."

"I think it's highly risky. I understand the rationale. Strategically, in some of these red states that Democrats have to win — the Senate races in Texas, Iowa, Ohio, Alaska, Nebraska — the Republican argument is that if they just get their own voters out, they can hold those seats," he continued. "I just think it's highly risky. I do, and I think it only helps Team Blue more than they think it will help Team Red."