Time will determine the evolution of JD Vance’s relationship with Trump as expressed in his first speech | US News
JD Vance is a familiar figure in US politics, but perhaps not as well-known to the general population.
He’s the “Freshman” senator who sought Donald Trump’s approval as VP, catching his attention and earning his support.
In the realm of US politics, it was more of an undercard event – a “who’s that” rather than a “who’s who” of political hopefuls aspiring to the national stage.
So JD’s big night was an opportunity for a proper introduction, to boost his public image and position himself as a potential vice president.
He shared the life story he had already documented in a book – an American narrative of challenging beginnings exacerbated by the policies of Joe Biden, who, as he pointed out, had “been a Washington politician longer than I’ve been alive”.
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At 39 years old and a father of three, JD Vance brings both youth and charisma to the table.
He’s a Yale graduate who served in the Marines after 9/11, with a mother who overcame addiction and proudly announced to the convention crowd, “10 years clean and sober”.
If it reads like a resume, his opponents paint a damning picture of his extreme views on abortion and foreign policy, positioning him on the far right.
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Trump is banking on Vance’s personal journey resonating with blue-collar voters in critical states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin – key battlegrounds for the election.
Only time will reveal how the dynamics between the two men develop.
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Will JD Vance appeal to US voters?
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Former vice president Mike Pence has been absent from the Republican Convention, avoiding discussions on his history with Trump and the strained relationship between them.
Trump hasn’t forgotten the past insults he received from his former running mate, such as being compared to Hitler or being called “cultural heroin”.
The praise from Vance in his speech indicates a shift in his stance, and they both hope that his newfound support for the boss serves as a model for the “Never Trumpers” who have remained steadfast in their opposition.
