US Republican candidate Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick, Senator JD Vance, has pledged to fight for working-class Americans who he claimed have been “cast aside and forgotten” by Democrats in a primetime speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Introducing himself to millions of viewers, the Ohio Senator drew on his humble Midwest roots and criticized “career politicians” like President Joe Biden.
Vance portrayed Trump as the “last best hope” for America, aiming to challenge the current Democratic ticket of Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris in the upcoming November election. Biden’s response on X (formerly Twitter) criticized Vance’s positions on abortion and Ukraine.
At 39, Vance aspires to become one of the youngest vice-presidents in U.S. history. In his speech, he recounted his journey from a difficult childhood in Ohio to serving in the US Marines, attending Yale Law School, and eventually joining the US Senate. The author of the best-selling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” spoke passionately about how “America’s ruling class” has damaged communities like his own with trade agreements and foreign wars.
“From Iraq to Afghanistan, from the financial crisis to the Great Recession, from open borders to stagnating wages, the people who govern this country have failed and failed again,” he declared. “Donald Trump represents America’s last best hope to restore what – if lost – may never be found again. A country where a working-class boy, born far from the halls of power, can stand on this stage.”
Vance, married to Usha Vance, a lawyer and daughter of Indian immigrants, emphasized the need for the US to control its labor imports. “When we allow newcomers, we allow them on our terms,” he stated. Initially a critic of Trump, Vance once labeled him an “idiot” and likened him to “America’s Hitler.” However, he later reconciled with Trump, winning his endorsement and a Senate seat in 2022.
Democrats have seized on Vance’s controversial past remarks, including his indifferent stance on Ukraine and support for a nationwide abortion ban. Recently, he has adjusted his abortion stance to align with the Republican platform, advocating for state-level decisions on the issue. Notably, Vance avoided discussing the Ukraine conflict during his speech, focusing instead on domestic concerns and America’s role in global peacekeeping.
Vance opened his address by referencing last Saturday’s assassination attempt on Trump, lauding Trump’s call for national unity in response. Vance attributed the attack to Biden’s divisive rhetoric, accusing him of portraying Trump as a tyrant and a threat to democracy.
A recent CNN poll showed that 13% of registered voters viewed Vance favorably, while 20% held an unfavorable opinion, with the majority either unfamiliar with him or indifferent. Some convention attendees, like Republican delegates Cindy Dore and Jackie Canon from Louisiana, expressed enthusiasm about Vance despite limited knowledge of his background.
The convention’s climax will feature Trump’s speech on Thursday night. Meanwhile, President Biden, diagnosed with Covid-19, has temporarily paused his campaign activities.
Political analyst Chris Devine of the University of Dayton noted that vice-presidential picks typically have a minimal impact on the election outcome. “If it’s the case that people look at JD Vance and see him as insufficiently experienced, they will think less of Donald Trump and his judgment,” he explained. “Not by a lot, but potentially on the margins.” Despite being a political newcomer, Devine acknowledged Vance as an “incredibly talented communicator.”
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