HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Trump Defends Vance Amid VP Rollout Controversy
Donald Trump is accustomed to defending his own actions and statements, but this week, the Republican presidential nominee found himself in the unusual position of defending his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. Vance's introduction at the Republican National Convention last month was met with skepticism from many GOP officials who admitted they knew little about him. Since then, a series of controversial statements by Vance, including his remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris and "childless cat ladies," have cast a shadow over his rollout, making it one of the most turbulent in recent memory.
During a contentious interview at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago, Trump attempted to clarify Vance's position, stating, "My interpretation is he’s strongly family-oriented. But that doesn’t mean that if you don’t have a family, there’s something wrong with that." However, conservative commentators, Republican strategists, and GOP officials on Capitol Hill have expressed their concerns publicly and privately, agreeing that Vance's introduction has not been smooth. Democrats have seized on Vance's past statements, labeling both him and Trump as "weird," a message that has gained traction online.
Despite the criticism, the Trump campaign remains steadfast in its support for Vance. A senior Trump adviser confirmed that there has been "zero conversation" about replacing Vance as the running mate. The adviser, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal campaign strategy, predicted that voters' attention would soon shift from Vance to Harris’ choice for vice president on the Democratic ticket.
Vance, a 39-year-old Republican senator who has held office for less than 18 months, has quickly established himself as a thought leader in the "Make America Great Again" movement. His selection was not universally popular among Republicans on Capitol Hill, with some preferring more experienced candidates like Sens. Tim Scott and Marco Rubio. Some believe that Vance's selection was made during a moment of overconfidence within Trump's team, who were predicting a significant victory against President Joe Biden.
However, the presidential contest has shifted dramatically since Biden endorsed Harris. Trump's allies now acknowledge that his victory in November is not guaranteed. While vice presidential nominees have been replaced in the past, most recently in 1972 when George McGovern dropped Missouri Sen. Tom Eagleton, there is a sense that things would need to get much worse before Vance would become a serious political liability for Trump.
At a rally in Pennsylvania, attendees dismissed the idea that Trump should replace Vance, despite disagreeing with his comments about voting power for parents. "Trump should stick with the people he’s picked," said Jeff Miller, 53. Similarly, at a rally in Arizona, supporters expressed their appreciation for Vance's personal story and his outsider status, with Rachael Jensen, a 42-year-old mother of six, stating, "I believe it should be one citizen, one vote, regardless if you have 12 children or no children."
As the campaign continues, Republican senators on Capitol Hill face ongoing questions about Vance. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana expressed confidence in Vance's ability to withstand early criticism, while Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana acknowledged the challenges of political campaigns, stating, "Politics is a full-contact sport."
In defending Vance, Trump emphasized the limited impact of the vice presidential nominee on the election, stating, "This is well-documented, historically, the vice president in terms of the election does not have any impact, virtually no impact." He concluded by asserting that voters are primarily focused on the presidential candidate, "You’re voting for the president. You’re voting for me."