A Trump clone? Much-needed youth? What you said about Trump’s VP pick of Vance | Opinion
Donald Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention Monday night, his first public appearance since an assassination attempt during a campaign rally Saturday in Pennsylvania, along with his new vice presidential choice, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.
Trump's selection of Vance Monday drew swift reactions across the country and here in Wisconsin, which is hosting the convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. A few quick takes from readers who responded to our call for their thoughts on the choice:
"Honesty and integrity. He is super smart and articulate. " — Bill, Grafton, Wisconsin
"As an independent, I can't see how a MAGA adds anything to the Republican ticket but more anti-Trump votes." — Allen, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
"Youth, vibrant and MAGA for 8 more years after the Trump four year run. Let's hope it brings some undecided votes to our side!" — John, Pompano Beach, Florida
"Vance will bring inexperience and the ability to change positions when it comes to once being a Trump detractor to being a major backer. He kissed the ring and got the prize." — Lynn, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
"He's very in touch with the needs of his the people. Vance is a stark contrast to (VP Kamala) Harris. She's incompetent and nonsensical and Vance is articulate, involved and in touch." — Hugh, Milwaukee
"More divisive rhetoric and a further polarization of politics. I believe the very rare independent voter who has not made up their mind will shy away from another flamethrower." — George, Ironwood, Michigan
"The 18-month Senator Vance as VP is like appointing a medical intern Surgeon General." — Pati, Milwaukee
What does Ohio Sen. J.D Vance bring to the Republican ticket?
Before winning his senate seat in 2022, Vance was best known for his 2016 book "Hillbilly Elegy," which was turned into a movie in 2020, and his pointed opposition to Trump. He later apologized for his barbs and said he wrongly focused on the former president's style and not his stances on issues like trade and foreign policy. That earned him Trump's endorsement in the senate race and his ascension into Trump's inner circle.
More reader reaction: Here is what you are most looking forward to, and dreading, about the RNC
Sadness. Scared for this country: Your comments on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump
We asked readers to comment on what Vance, 39, brings to the ticket. On the plus side, many pointed to his age, charisma and skill as a communicator:
"I think it is a brilliant choice by President Trump. He is an attorney, Marine and a politician that hasn't been around long enough to be corrupt by other politicians. Vance has similar beliefs as President Trump. I believe its a phenomenal choice." — Debbie, Surfside Beach, South Carolina
"Much needed youth! Trump is 78 and J.D. Vance is 39." — Luke, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
"Wonderful pick. Smart, young, and he is from the rust belt. Most of all though he can communicate. Between Biden's mumbling and unforced teleprompter errors and Kamala (Harris') hideous laugh, he will be a breath of fresh air." — Frank, Milwaukee
On the other side, many were critical of Vance for changing his tune about Trump and adopting his style:
"A clone of Trump which is a formula for disaster. He also blamed President Biden for the assassination attempt on Trump. He continues to turn up the temperature of our country. He is not fit to be a U.S. Senator much less the first in line to the presidency." — Ken, Slinger, Wisconsin
"Vance is just as radical and self serving as Trump. There isn't much difference between them. He will provide more violent rhetoric and eventually someone else will get hurt." — Mike, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
"J. D. Vance brings the answer to the question, 'What if you found a politician with all the sweaty, desperate ambition and contempt for the poor of Bill Clinton but none of the charisma or charm?'" — John, Milwaukee
Will the VP choice have an impact on the 2024 presidential race?
The age of both presidential candidates has been a major concern heading into the campaign. The only interruption in the intense scrutiny on Biden's health and wellness (he is 81) following his stumbles in a debate with Trump last month was the attempt on Trump's life Saturday.
Most vice presidents serve in relative obscurity and are turned into memes (look up Biden Corvette meme from his 8 years as Barack Obama's VP) or serve as fodder for late night television hosts (see Dan Quayle and the infamous misspelling of potato.)
Still, Theodore Roosevelt and Harry Truman were propelled into the White House following the assassination of William McKinley and death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. George H.W. Bush became president in his own right after serving as Ronald Reagan's vice president, just like Biden did after his own time as VP under Obama (separated by 4 years of Trump).
Bush was a one-term president. Will Vance's entry into the race increase the odds of the same fate befalling Biden? Here is what readers had to say about how he might impact how people vote in November:
"Independent voters don't want a double dose of extreme right. Independent voters want people who will negotiate with the other side to do what's best for the people. If you win an election that doesn't mean you get everything you want. Democracy means work together for everyone. Extreme left and extreme right have their own agenda, which is not the agenda of the American population as a whole." — KA, Marshfield, Wisconsin
"To some independents his military background may make a difference. Some folks may just like the fact he is younger and buy into all the family stuff that Twitter-X and sites like that feast on." — William, Oak Harbor, Washington
"Of course it will. This tool is going for blood and will deride Joe and Kamala every chance he can. People will also assume he can be a great sub for Trump if anything befalls him. He's young and willing to do whatever it takes." — Greg, New Berlin, Wisconsin
"Somewhat. The ridiculous, 'Trump makes me uncomfortable but I may still vote for him" crowd will eat it up.'" — Jonathan, Greendale, Wisconsin
Just the numbers. Other leading Republican choices for vice president.
As of 7:30 a.m., we received 50 responses on the form. Here is who readers say was their first choice for VP (due to rounding, the number exceeds 100%):
Sen. Marco Rubio: 21%
Gov. Doug Burgum: 15%
Gov. Kristi Noem: 6%
Gov. Glenn Youngkin: 9%
Sen. Ron Johnson: 6%
Sen. Ted Cruz: 0%
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley: 24%
Sen. Tim Scott: 15%
Rep. Elise Stefanik: 6%
Parting thoughts on Vance choice with a deeper analysis
Here are the extended comments of B. A. from Sturtevant, Wisconsin, on Vance:
"He seems to be 'all hat, no cattle,' as the Texans would have it. He's an ideologue, a malcontent, and his views are out of step with the majority of the people of the United States. That Vance believes a woman should stay with her abusive husband 'for the sake of the children' speaks volumes. And in case that wasn't enough, he believes there should be no exceptions with regards to abortions/female reproductive health care, not for rape, not for incest, not for life of the mother. He is too extreme for the vast majority of the U.S. "Mind you, the reason I wanted Trump to pick Haley is that it would be a unity ticket. She had some harsh, but fair, words to say about Donald Trump, and if Trump had been the bigger man many hope he'll become, he'd have picked Haley as she continued to get quite a few votes even after she was out of the contest. (No, she won no contests. No, she didn't take delegates from Trump. But she did show there was a sizable "protest vote" going on against Trump.)"Had he picked Haley, I would have thought much better of Mr. Trump. But he hasn't. He didn't have my vote before, and he definitely doesn't have it now. (Vance is too extreme, and the thought of him possibly being VP anytime soon is frightening.)"
Thank you all for your comments. Look for other questions of the day throughout the convention.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee weighs in on Ohio Sen. JD Vance as Trump’s VP pick amid RNC
