Trump turns praise of Republican candidates’ looks into a campaign tactic as GOP struggles with Iran war and gas prices

President Donald Trump has repeatedly turned to the physical appearance of vulnerable Republican candidates in the closing stretch of the midterm campaign, openly describing the unusual tactic as part of his effort to help them win.

The clearest example has been Ohio Sen. Jon Husted, whom Trump has praised at five rallies over the past three weeks while Republicans try to defend the seat against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

“I started examining his body because I didn’t know he was a great athlete,” Trump said at an Ohio rally. “I looked and I watched up and down and I looked at his ass.”

Trump has made similar comments about Husted’s legs, feet and physique at rallies in Michigan and North Carolina.

Husted told Axios that he and his wife had a sense of humor about the remarks and believed Trump was doing what he could to help the campaign.

Trump has expanded the approach to other Republican candidates, calling Montana Sen. Tim Sheehy “a very handsome guy,” praising Georgia Senate candidate Mike Collins as “all man,” and describing several other candidates in similarly personal terms.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune also joined in this week, joking that Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno was “kinda eye-candy too.”

The unusual closing message comes as Republicans face voter frustration over the war in Iran, higher gasoline and diesel prices and growing opposition to data-center development.

Husted is among the GOP’s most vulnerable Senate incumbents, with recent polling showing him narrowly behind or tied with Brown.

Trump argued at a Texas rally this week that his comments about Husted’s appearance had helped the senator politically.

“The audience loved it,” Trump said, claiming Husted’s standing improved afterward.