Dem
47
GOP
53
We don't think we are being insulting when we say that the Brits are masters of snubs, passive-aggression, and other petty behaviors. In fact, they pride themselves on it (at least, many of them do). As we were working on this item, for example, we encountered this message on Threads:
One thing I love about being British is the level of petty we go to. If JD thinks he's been wronged, wait till you see what we have planned.
There were lots of others along the same lines.
That quote also tells you that this item is about J.D. Vance, and his not-so-great vacation trip to the U.K. last week. The "big" story, in terms of things that gained real traction on social and news media, is that Vance and his wife Usha attempted to patronize a pub in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, called The Bull, and were turned away.
The exact circumstances of the pub saying "Thanks, but no thanks" are somewhat in dispute. It was very widely reported that the staff of the pub rebelled, and said they would not report to work if forced to serve the Vances. The pub's management refuses to confirm or deny this, and it's possible that the problem was merely that the Vances and their entourage would have effectively shut the pub (and its profits) down for the night. Whatever happened, it is worth noting that Kamala Harris showed up at the same pub last month, Secret Service entourage in tow, and was seated.
Whether Vance was denied service for practical reasons, or personal ones, there was certainly plenty of unambiguous Vance disdain on display during his trip. For example, signs like these:
There were also protests:
And this van was driving around:
The owner of the house that the Vances rented even went so far as to send apologies to all his neighbors.
You may be left with the impression that Vance is not too popular on that side of the Atlantic. And the fact that these stories and photos spread like wildfire in the U.S. and Canada is pretty strong evidence that he's not too popular on this side of the Atlantic, either. It's a pretty potent blend of loathing and scorn (and don't forget that he's been denied service at U.S. eateries, as well).
It is possible to overcome a blend of loathing and scorn, if the 30% or 40% who feel that way are counterbalanced by 30% or 40% who are fanatically supportive of you. This is the Trump model. Vance's problem is that he engenders Trump levels of loathing and scorn from one side, but little in the way of fanatical support from the other side. This does not presage good things for his presidential ambitions. (Z)