JD Vance 2.0: The GOP vice presidential nominee leans into ‘Midwest nice’
WASHINGTON ? For Republican JD Vance, Tuesday night's vice presidential debate was an opportunity for rebranding.
Vance presented himself as a candidate willing to work across the aisle. He focused on softening the GOP’s stance on abortion and showcasing empathy for his Democratic opponent, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. There were few insults and elbows thrown.
The turn from Vance comes as his running mate, Donald Trump, and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris are locked in a razor-thin election and the Republican ticket is picking up ground in some key battleground states.
Vance appealed to voters through his biography, advocating for bipartisanship and limiting personal attacks against Walz.
Before answering the first debate question, Vance introduced himself to the public, "because I recognize a lot of Americans don't know who either one of us are.” The bestselling author noted he was raised in a working-class family and went to college on the GI Bill.
“I stand here asking to be your vice president with extraordinary gratitude for this country, for the American Dream that made it possible for me to live my dreams,” he said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., praised Vance’s performance for sticking to the policies and the facts.
“JD was so good last night because he brought answers and solutions,” Johnson said Wednesday on Fox News. “He showed his depth. And he came across as just being very reasonable and likable.
“I just thought he was at his best.”
Ahead of the debate, Democrats labeled Vance as “weird,” hit him for past comments about women who do not have children, and criticized his overly confident nature. He also was heavily criticized for spreading false rumors that Haitian migrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, which caused turmoil and violence for the community.
"He seemed very slick," Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison told reporters after the debate Tuesday. "Every time JD opened his mouth, he said a lie."
Vance throughout the debate at times appealed to working across the aisle, such as advocating for bipartisan work to address paid family and medical leave.
He also appeared to agree with Walz on certain issues and showcased empathy after the Minnesota governor said his teenage son, Gus, witnessed a shooting at a community center.
Vance immediately shook his head. When it was his turn to respond, he said, “Tim, first of all, I didn't know that your 17-year-old witnessed a shooting,” Vance said. “I'm sorry about that. Christ have mercy. It is awful.”
The biggest shift, however, was on abortion. Vance sought to soften the GOP’s views on abortion, a key issue that Harris and Walz have leaned into in key battleground states.
Vance highlighted a story from a woman he said was “very dear to me” who had an abortion because she was in an abusive relationship.
“I think that what I take from that, as a Republican who proudly wants to protect innocent life in this country, who proudly wants to protect the vulnerable, is that my party ? we’ve got to do so much better of a job at earning the American people’s trust back on this issue, where they frankly just don’t trust us,” Vance said.
Trump said Tuesday that he would veto a national abortion ban if one reached his desk as president. The former president has praised the Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade.
But Vance’s performance Tuesday shows he hopes to change his image to appeal to a wider swath of voters who are still deciding whom to vote for in November.
Trump, Harris in a dead heat
Vance’s aim to improve his image comes as Trump and Harris are locked in a tight battle for the presidency.
Harris, who jumped into the race after President Joe Biden dropped out in June, saw a bump after she was thrust to the top of the ticket. But Trump has since been making headway in battleground states like Arizona.
Trump is leading Harris by 6 percentage points in Arizona, 48%-42%, according to a USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll published last week.
In Michigan, another key state, Harris holds a 3-point lead over Trump, 48%-45%, according to another USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll.
Nationally, Harris holds a small lead over Trump, according to an Ipsos poll published Wednesday. Among likely voters, 48% said they would vote for Harris, and 44% said they would back Trump.
But with less than 35 days to go, it’s unclear whether the running mates will play a role on how voters will cast their ballots.
Just 1% of viewers said the vice presidential debate made them change their mind about their vote, a CNN poll after the debate found. Thirteen percent said the debate made them reconsider but did not change their mind.
And 86% said the debate had no effect on their choice of president.
Contributing: Haley Bemiller, USA TODAY Network
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why JD Vance leaned into 'Midwest nice' during vice president debate