J.D. Vance has seemingly moved into the lead in the race to become Donald Trump's potential running mate — but some of his strengths could actually keep him off the ticket, according to a report Thursday.
The first-term U.S. senator is probably more closely aligned with the MAGA movement than any other candidate perceived to be on Trump's shortlist, and he was the first to travel to New York to stand alongside him at a criminal trial that ultimately led to his felony convictions. He's also friends with the former president's eldest son, reported Bloomberg.
“There isn’t anyone out there who I think would be more loyal to my father and his agenda,” said Donald Trump Jr. in a statement, calling him “an all-star for the America First movement” who could "deliver an effective message on the campaign trail and in front of TV cameras.”
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Vance harshly criticized Trump in 2016, but later became an outspoken supporter, telling the Ohio GOP in 2021 that he was "wrong" about the former president and saying he had previously considered him to be a "Democrat from New York" — and that seems to have satisfied the MAGA movement.
“He is a younger and more articulate version of Trump,” said Republican pollster Frank Luntz.
The 39-year-old Vance rose to prominence eight years ago with his memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," which depicted his youth growing up in Rust Belt poverty to a drug-addicted mother before going on to attend Yale Law School, serving with the U.S. Marines in Iraq and being elected to his first public office in 2022.
“He literally wrote the book on this moment in history,” said Alex Triantafilou, chairman of the Ohio Republican Party.
Vance hasn't accomplished much as a senator, but Republicans point out that Barack Obama hadn't really either before he was elected president in 2008.
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But his supporters say he brings to the table all the qualities that Trump is considering for a running mate — with one major caveat.
"He does a good job of connecting with the populist base of the Republican Party,” said Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT).
“His biggest drawback in President Trump’s mind would be the fear that he will outshine Donald Trump, because he’s smarter, he’s more articulate, he’s more solid on policy,” Romney added.
“Donald Trump would find that difficult — to have the spotlight on anyone other than himself.”
