2018's most volatile candidate (Trump) isn't on ballot

Heading into the midterm elections, the most volatile candidate this year isn't on the ballot.

But President Donald Trump still loves to take his freewheeling political stylings on the road on behalf of his fellow Republicans and he's raring to go for the sprint to Nov. 6.

His eagerness to campaign for candidates — and protect his political flank — has led Republican officials and Trump's political team to devise a strategy for managing the president's time. It's designed to keep him in places where he can be helpful.

They're also determined to try to manage his unpredictability so the party's strongest asset in turning out core GOP voters doesn't end up doing damage instead.

There's a constant effort to keep him on best behaviour.

This past week, Trump heeded pleas from advisers and Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, head of the GOP Senate campaign committee, to refrain from picking a favourite in the fractious Arizona primary, waiting until after the results were in to back the winner. Later, at a rally in Indiana for Senate candidate Mike Braun, the president largely stuck to his script, promoting his agenda and criticizing Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind.

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