Dem
47
GOP
53
Yesterday, J.D. Vance was in Pennsylvania, where he gave a speech in which he acknowledged that the economy is rough, and that the administration is definitely working on it. He promised that better times are ahead.
We only mention this because it looks to be the opening scene of a very interesting ballet that is going to unfold over the next couple of years. Vance is one of the phoniest people in American politics, but he's not stupid. He knows that voters are very unhappy right now, and they are likely to throw the bums out in 2026, and very likely to do so in 2028, too.
Vance also knows that his only real hope of overcoming that, barring something unexpected like a terrorist attack and a rally-round-the-flag effect, is to somehow be a "change" candidate, and to create some distance between himself and an unpopular presidential administration. He watched what his predecessor did, in not creating enough distance, and how that worked out for her at the polls.
Finally, Vance knows that Joe Biden might have grumbled a little bit if Kamala Harris took a position adversarial to his, but that Biden was not likely to seek revenge against his VP. Further, Biden did not have the power to snap his fingers and command a majority of Democratic voters not to vote for Harris. Donald Trump most certainly DOES seek revenge against those he perceives to have insulted him, and he most certainly CAN snap his fingers and make a Republican candidate radioactive to a giant segment of the base.
We have yet to see all that much evidence that Vance, as a politician, is up for the unbelievably delicate and difficult task before him. He got elected senator on the power of Peter Thiel's money and influence, and kissing Trump's hindquarters. He got elected VP using the same playbook. For the next, and last, promotion, it's going to be a very different kettle of fish. Maybe the chameleon-like Vance can pull it off, though we certainly wouldn't bet on him. For more on this subject, just ask President Pence. (Z)