16-7-2024 (MILWAUKEE) Former President Donald Trump has named JD Vance, the Republican U.S. Senator from Ohio, as his running mate for the upcoming presidential election. The announcement, made on Trump’s Truth Social media platform, came at the onset of the highly anticipated four-day Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where delegates, as expected, officially declared the former president as their nominee.
Trump’s statement on Truth Social read, “After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of vice president of the United States is Senator JD Vance of the Great State of Ohio.”
The selection of James David Vance, the author of the bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” is a strategic move by Trump, aimed at energizing his base and potentially boosting voter turnout in the crucial swing state of Ohio. Vance, a staunch conservative hailing from a Republican stronghold, is unlikely to attract new voters from across the aisle; however, his deep-rooted popularity among Trump’s core supporters could prove instrumental in solidifying the former president’s base.
While some Trump supporters had advocated for a more diverse running mate, such as a woman or a person of color, to broaden the campaign’s appeal, Vance’s selection suggests that Trump prioritized loyalty and personal rapport over demographic considerations.
The convention’s opening days have been marred by extraordinary events, including a narrowly averted assassination attempt on Trump just two days prior during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Adding to the dramatic backdrop, the former president secured a significant legal victory hours before the convention’s commencement, as a federal judge dismissed one of the criminal prosecutions against him.
As Vance emerged on the convention floor alongside his wife, Usha, he was met with a swarm of delegates, shaking hands and exchanging embraces with his newfound supporters. The 39-year-old senator is scheduled to address the convention on Wednesday, further cementing his role as Trump’s second-in-command.
According to Trump’s advisers, the former president’s decision was driven by his trust in Vance and their compatible rapport. Among those who privately advocated for Vance’s selection were Donald Trump Jr. and the influential conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.
Oil businessman Dan Eberhart, a Trump donor, interpreted the Vance pick as a sign of the former president’s confidence in his campaign against incumbent President Joe Biden. While national polls indicate a tight race between the two candidates, Trump holds a measurable lead in several crucial battleground states that will ultimately determine the election’s outcome.
“It demonstrates that Trump doesn’t feel he needs his VP to deliver any specific demographic or state,” Eberhart remarked. “He’s confident that he has this race wrapped up.”
Vance’s rapid ascent to the national political stage has been unconventional, to say the least. Born into poverty in southern Ohio, he served in the Marine Corps, earned a scholarship to Yale Law School, and later worked as a venture capitalist in San Francisco.
However, Vance’s path to becoming Trump’s running mate is fraught with contradictions. Prior to his Senate run in 2022, he was a vocal critic of Trump, labeling him an “idiot” and “America’s Hitler,” among other scathing epithets. As he pivoted to align himself with the former president, Vance transformed into one of Trump’s staunchest defenders, even defending his actions during the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Vance’s controversial stances on issues such as abortion and his opposition to continued aid to Ukraine have raised concerns among moderate voters and some donors. Four donors reportedly expressed disappointment with Trump’s selection immediately after the announcement, citing Vance’s potential to alienate segments of the electorate.
“Of all the choices he had, I think he chose the worst one,” remarked Andy Sabin, a donor and metals businessman, who had been awaiting Trump’s running mate announcement before deciding on a campaign contribution. “Vance is going to hurt Trump more than help him.”
Trump’s vice presidential selection process was a meticulously drawn-out affair, engineered for maximum suspense. While the former president initially considered at least a dozen potential candidates, the shortlist eventually narrowed down to Vance, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.
Many of Trump’s closest advisers remained unaware of his final decision until hours before the official announcement, with Burgum and Rubio receiving rejection calls just moments before Vance’s selection was made public.
The Biden campaign swiftly responded to Trump’s choice, accusing the former president of selecting Vance for his unwavering allegiance and willingness to enable Trump’s “extreme MAGA agenda,” even if it meant breaking the law.
“Trump picked JD Vance as his running mate because Vance will do what Mike Pence wouldn’t on Jan 6: Bend over backwards to enable Trump and his extreme MAGA agenda, even if it means breaking the law and no matter the harm to the American people,” stated Jen O’Malley Dillon, chair of the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign.
The shooting attempt on Trump’s life has profoundly altered the dynamics of the presidential campaign, shifting the focus from concerns over President Biden’s age and acuity to the former president’s safety and the broader implications of political violence.
