Caring about the gop base of voters is pointless it isn't like they're voting Hillary. Obviously it helps to throw in some more palatable opinions for them but it's minor. And at the same time equally alienating to more democratic voters who dislike Hillary.

The sad thing is if he loses you will genuinely think it's down to foul play rather than him just not being that good. Which after two terms of Obama and an awful candidate in Hillary is pretty damning.