Staff Reports
Byron York has put forth a compelling argument that Donald Trump’s four years in office have given Senator J.D. Vance the interview chops he needs for his 2024 presidential run. Selected by Trump as his vice presidential nominee after a mere 18 months in the Senate, Vance has quickly leveraged Trump’s well-worn political playbook to his advantage. It seems the senator is finally finding his stride, thanks to learning from the best in the business—Trump himself.
York noted that Vance’s ability to deliver notable interviews stems from the fact that Trump’s record and policy positions are so widely recognized. Unlike Democrats who seem to be caught in a whirlpool of indecision—case in point being Tim Walz, Minnesota’s governor, who remains silent until Kamala Harris can make sense of her positions—Vance can confidently reference a strong set of Trump-era policies that practically everyone knows about. It’s almost like being handed the answers to a pop quiz; Vance needs to repeat what Trump did, and the results speak for themselves.
Donald Trump honesty needs to take a few lessons from JD Vance in interviews. He was respectful but owned them. pic.twitter.com/Wh4NqkS3YM
— Angie G (@MomAngtrades) August 11, 2024
Speaking of the Democrats, Kamala Harris finds herself in an awkward position. As the certified Democratic nominee, she seems to be following the trend of avoiding interviews like they are the plague. York pointed out that despite some favorable polling, her campaign appears to think no criticism means their candidate is winning. Perhaps they’ve mistaken silence for strategy, and as York speculated, her lack of public appearances might change only if the political tide turns against her.
In the realm of active campaigning, Vance is not just riding Trump’s coattails. He has openly criticized Walz, claiming he left the National Guard to chase political ambitions. That’s going to resonate with voters across party lines who value military service and genuine dedication over political aspiration. Meanwhile, as Vance continues to speak up about issues like increasing the child tax credit to $5,000 per child and eliminating surprise medical bills for parents, it’s clear he’s trying to connect with voters on practical terms.
As the charged political atmosphere intensifies, eyes will soon be on the upcoming debates, most notably set between Trump and Harris. Even though the date for the vice presidential debate remains a mystery, Vance has expressed eagerness to engage with Walz. He understands that presenting a solid case to voters is critical, and he is ready to show the American people why sticking with Trump is a better choice than getting swept up in the murky waters of Democratic indecision. If Vance keeps this momentum, he might prove that standing on Trump’s legacy gives him a significant edge—one that could sway voters in 2024.
