“The vice presidency is not worth a bucket of warm spit.” Often attributed to John Nance Garner, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first vice president, this quote reflects the traditional view that the vice presidency—and by extension, the vice presidential candidate—has little impact on the election outcome.
Senator JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential nominee from Ohio, recently echoed former President Donald Trump’s perspective on the role of vice-presidential candidates in elections. In a conversation with Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation,” Vance made it clear that, in his view, voters make their decisions based primarily on the presidential candidate rather than the vice-presidential pick.
Not going to lie. I don’t care who Kambala picks for VP. This is more important and it’s being swept under the rug. Keep the pressure on. They know we know.#Trump2024 pic.twitter.com/Y7CE9MJ37c
— Mike Lad (@RealMaxit) August 7, 2024
Vance stated, “I think most people were voting for Donald Trump or Kamala Harris,” drawing a sharp contrast between the two administrations. He credited Trump with bringing about rising wages and a secure border, while criticizing Harris for contributing to what he sees as an open border and a decline in wages when adjusted for inflation, along with increased costs in groceries, housing, and other essentials.
Trump had made similar remarks earlier during a Q&A session with Harris Faulkner, a Fox News anchor, at the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago on July 31. When asked whether he believed Vance would be prepared to step into the presidential role if necessary, Trump responded by downplaying the significance of the vice-presidential choice, stating, “Historically, the choice of a vice president makes no difference.”
The more I listen to JD Vance, the more I absolutely think he is the best pick for VP ever.
Everyone in the audience has shown their appreciation today and his message is spot on. pic.twitter.com/1eV6nhR0PO— SweetPeaBelle (@SweetPeaBell326) August 6, 2024
Vance, who was selected by Trump as his running mate on the Republican ticket, concurred with this assessment. He pointed out that most voters, when casting their ballots, are primarily focused on the presidential nominee, not the vice-presidential candidate. “It’s just straightforward political reality. I think Donald Trump’s right,” Vance added, reinforcing the idea that the impact of a vice-presidential pick is minimal in the grand scheme of an election.
At the end of the day, it’s Harris vs. Trump, and VP picks don’t really matter in this election. @RepRosendale talks with us about what’s really important.@TBatesNews @RealDrGina @DBrodyReports
Watch LIVE➡ https://t.co/aeKhZCtVbe
Join #AMSUN on Rumble ➡ https://t.co/w7Cg0FO2x5 pic.twitter.com/mapI7JpsQt— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) August 7, 2024
Quotes
- “The vice presidential candidate doesn’t win or lose you elections.” This sentiment is echoed by many political analysts, who argue that while a vice presidential pick might affect some voters, it is rarely the decisive factor in a presidential election.
- “Voters don’t choose the vice president; they choose the president.” This idea underscores the belief that the vice presidential candidate is secondary in the minds of voters, who are primarily focused on the person at the top of the ticket.
- “No one ever won an election because of the vice president.” A common refrain in political commentary, suggesting that while a vice presidential candidate might influence the election narrative, they are unlikely to change the overall result.
Major Points:
- JD Vance, Republican vice-presidential nominee, aligns with Trump’s view that voters prioritize the presidential candidate over the vice-presidential pick.
- Vance contrasts Trump’s track record of rising wages and a secure border with Kamala Harris’ tenure, highlighting issues like an open border and falling wages.
- Trump downplays the impact of vice-presidential choices, asserting they historically don’t influence voter decisions.
- Vance echoes Trump’s sentiment, emphasizing that the presidential nominee is the primary focus for voters.
- Vance stresses the straightforward political reality that voters base their decisions mainly on the presidential nominee.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
