OPINION — President Donald Trump is crediting his raucous Ohio rally for propelling Troy Balderson over Democratic challenger Danny O’Connor in a U.S. congressional special election that is officially still too close to call. But what if his fiery rhetoric and the image of a sea of angry faces, attacks on the media and signs supporting the murky QAnon conspiracy actually derailed what should have been an easy Republican victory?

Republican candidates have signaled they will ride the Trump train, with their fearless leader promising to stoke the outrage all the way to the November midterms to persuade the base to show up. The Republican Party is Trump’s party now, so those wanting to win or keep office may not have a choice.

Consider the tightrope the Ohio GOP candidate had to walk. Pressed by statements from Republican Gov. John Kasich, Balderson was not exactly strong in owning the president’s last-minute appearance on his behalf. It’s understandable, considering that Kasich’s endorsement may have helped him more.

Balderson and O’Connor will meet again in November, with more chances to tip too far one way or the other. While my Roll Call colleague Patricia Murphy advised Democrats who want to win nationwide to accept moderates and moderating voices into the fold, GOP candidates in more competitive, diverse districts will have to make choices of their own.

Despite what might happen with Robert Mueller’s investigation, Paul Manafort’s trial and any yet unknown scandal or distraction — or maybe because of them — expect Trump to take to the road, to bask in the glow of rally support where he may go off script and forget the candidate he is ostensibly there to help.