COLUMBUS – President Donald Trump insulted NBA star LeBron James from afar but passed up an opportunity to criticize him on his own turf.
He stuck to Democrats, the news media and other familiar targets during a campaign rally Saturday night in Delaware County in support of state senator Troy Balderson, who is in a close race with Democrat Danny O’Connor in the traditionally Republican 12th Congressional District.
“We have man that’s going to fight for you, he’s going to fight for Ohio, and he’s going to be here for a long time,” Trump told the crowd. “He will never, ever disappoint you… he’s really smart and he’s a really hard worker.”
Balderson has been an outspoken supporter of the president during the campaign.
“Mr. President, we don’t want to go back. I’m not tired of winning,” he said at the rally.
The president tweeted after an interview James did with CNN anchor Don Lemon that Lemon was “the dumbest man on television” but that he “made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do.”
James was being interviewed about a school he recently opened in Akron for underprivileged children.
Trump’s rally at Olentangy Orange High School lasted for more than an hour, and while he attacked Democrats and other familiar targets, he never mentioned the home-state hero.
Trump’s late-night tweet deriding James’ intellect generated hours of online buzz in defense of the all-star from Akron.
Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2018
Even first lady Melania Trump provided an assist to James, her spokeswoman saying it appeared to the president’s wife that James was “working to do good things on behalf of our next generation” and that Mrs. Trump would be open to visiting his “I Promise” school.
The statement didn’t criticize Trump.
Tuesday’s special election between Balderson and O’Connor is the final preview race before November’s general election.
Trump is casting himself as the star of the midterm elections, eagerly inserting himself into hotly contested primaries, headlining big rallies in pivotal swing states and increasing his fundraising efforts for Republican candidates.
Trump plans to host two fundraisers at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this week, benefiting Senate and House candidates.
Trump’s strategy is prompting some concern among some Republicans who worry the president is complicating the political calculus for GOP candidates trying to outrun his continued unpopularity with the general electorate.
Republicans fear that their statewide candidates may rise or fall based on Trump’s standing in opinion polls, muddling their path to maintain control of Congress.
There are some signs that Trump’s rating may matter more than the performance of individual candidates.