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Former President Trump has picked JD Vance to be his running mate.
I must say that this is probably the best pick he could have made if we restrict the selection to just the people on his short list. Vance is the most populist of the potential picks. He has some obvious strengths with a demographic that cost trump his victory in 2020 (white males). The left seems to hate him more than any of the other potentials. He is certainly the most MAGA of the bunch, however it's hard to tell just how mercenary he is. I like that he at least had a life before politics and was a successful person before he came on the scene.
Haley, Rubio, Scott, Burgham, Youngkin. MAGA sees them all as neocon swamp creatures. They were the more moderate choices that would have put the VP just one more assassination attempt away from getting things back to business as usual.
There is a lot to digest here. Trumps statements since Saturday indicate that he wants to run on a Peace, Unity, and Love platform. I think this is a great idea, especially with Vance as VP. He should offer the country an opportunity to unite on his (our, MAGA) terms. It would be a tricky thing to pull off and Trump would need some softer language and a perfect delivery, but I think it's do-able. Let the left reject the call. Trump is perhaps in a unique position to pull this off right now. Vance gives him cover to do this.
It's also been said that VP picks rarely or minimally affect the race. I tend to think that is true which also is a reason to double down on MAGA with Vance. If its not going to be that important to the vote count, might as well go for someone that is ideologically aligned.
Vance lacks accomplishments. He wrote one acclaimed book. The rest of his career is a junior big law stint and then I guess he was good at befriending rich people and became a VC of which I see zero prominent investments.
He has never held a job long enough to do anything. I think it’s questionable “he had a life before politics”. He had internships to become a politician. Even Democrats who wanted to be in politics would spend 3 years in military service before going off to law school back in the day. He’s no Desantis in that regard.
He though is solidly blue tribe. Classic smart white guy marries Asian/Indian.
I don’t think he does much to extend the base. Maybe he helps to push engagement in Pennsylvania which is probably a swing state. Trumps biggest weakness is governance not winning the election. That may not matter for the election but in terms of getting things done Vance is a lightweight.
He reminds me a lot of Palin but with better education. I don’t even think Dems will fear him. He doesn’t remove the assassin risks with Trump.
vice president isn't a normal job where you need experience. The "job" is basically to give TV interviews and make the main guy look good. Maybe run for president in the future, but not now. It's a very strange job. For that, he's as qualified as anyone.
The whole reason that Trump is winning right now is that 1/ Obama thought this way when picking his VP in 2008, and 2/ Biden thought this way when picking a VP in 2020. Choosing a VP is monumentally consequential for your party. You need to make sure you are choosing the right guy if you care at all about the future of your party. And how can you think you have taken the measure of a man to know where he will be in the next decade or two when he's already a completely different man from what he was a decade ago?
I kinda of agree. I don’t have anything against Vance specifically. He in fact may turn out wonderfully. I just don’t know him—at all. He hasn’t had the eye of Sauron on him so I can’t trust him.
It’s why I would’ve preferred RDS. Of course Trump feels (I think really unfairly) that RDS betrayed Trump so was never going to happen.
DeSantis has his strengths, but they were on COVID response and anti-woke. I don't expect him to deport anyone and I don't expect him to stand up to China.
He can stay right where he is, it seems to suit him. Or maybe unseat Rubio and join the Senate.
Covid to me is still a big deal. There needs to be accountability for that. RDS also runs a very competent Florida government.
Also RDS showed he would respond to a hostile media without cowering. No reason to think that would change.
He is a very competent administrator albeit not a very inspiring personality.
Yes, I agree with your points, but they don't tell me that he's going to shut down the border or be tough on China. Those were, are, and forever will be Trump's biggest selling points to me, and many others.
I would be happy with him if I thought he would accomplish those things. I don't, especially when it comes to China.
What on earth makes you think Trump is going to be tough on China? He's not even supporting the TikTok ban.
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