Trump-endorsed Senate nominee can only muster 26 percent in polls

Delusional Trump is bragging these days that he’ll save vulnerable GOP candidates in November. But in the real world, some of the candidates he has endorsed have already crashed and burned in states that should be competitive.

A prime example of that is Corey Stewart, the Trump-endorsed Republican nominee in the Virginia race for U.S. Senate. His white nationalist campaign may end up setting a new mark for election year futility, according to a new poll released on Wednesday.

The Republican nominee trailing Democratic incumbent Tim Kaine by a whopping 23 points to in a state that not very long ago regularly voted Republican. Worse, Stewart is polling at a staggeringly low 26 percent in a statewide race that features two major party candidates, as well one libertarian.

One-third of self-described Republicans or Republican-leaning voters in the poll are not yet backing Stewart, a staunch Trump loyalist.

Back in June, the Stewart campaign bragged about Trump’s endorsement, which arrived via Twitter.

“Congratulations to Corey Stewart for his great victory for Senator from Virginia. Now he runs against a total stiff, Tim Kaine, who is weak on crime and borders, and wants to raise your taxes through the roof. Don’t underestimate Corey, a major chance of winning!”

Since then, Stewart’s ugly candidacy has further imploded, as well it should.

Stewart supports flying the Confederate flag, wants to prosecute local officials who don’t racially profile Latinos, and has implied Republicans who support expanding Medicaid have erectile dysfunction.

He also has a history of palling around with well-known racists, such as Paul Nehlen, whom Stewart called a “personal hero.” Nehlen has claimed that “the Jews” repeat the themes of “poop, incest, and pedophilia,” he’s  mocked the Holocaust, and posted lengthy lists of his critics complete with personal information, noting (incorrectly) that “74 are Jews.”

Not surprisingly, Stewart has effectively taken Virginia off the table for Republicans in terms of Senate races. But his collapse could also spell doom for GOP House members facing uphill re-election battles in Virginia.

For instance, Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) is considered to be among the most vulnerable House incumbents. If lots of GOP voters in Virginia stay home in November in part because of Stewart’s disastrous campaign, Republicans like Comstock might pay a big price.

Meanwhile, the GOP’s Senate woes aren’t restricted to Virginia.

On Thursday, Politico reported that Republicans in the deep red state of West Virginia are “reeling” in their attempt to knock off incumbent Democratic Sen. John Manchin, despite Trump’s effort to boost Republican nominee Patrick Morrisey.

With this kind of campaign record, it might be Democrats who end up urging Trump to campaign this fall.