RNC Day 1: Vance Vance Revolution
A harsh critic becomes heir apparent
So a few thoughts at the end of Day 1 at the Republican Convention. The main news of the day was the selection of Senator J.D. Vance, exactly half Donald Trump’s age, as the vice presidential candidate. Reaction around the convention halls was quite positive about this choice, and attendees seem to view him as someone who will advance Trump’s agenda and possibly reach out to a younger group of voters. (Personally I rather doubt he gains anyone for Trump that Trump didn’t already have, but I doubt he’ll hurt.)
To me, Vance’s rise to this point of trust in the Trump world is a terrific example of just how easy it is to work one’s way into Trump’s good graces. As many others have noted today, Vance has not been a fan of Donald Trump for all that long. Vance at one point called Trump “an idiot” who was “reprehensible” and said he might be “America’s Hitler.” Vance would later soften his criticism and then became far more embracing of Trump. In early 2022, Vance called Trump “the greatest president in my lifetime,” specifically wooing Trump’s endorsement for his Senate run. Trump rewarded him with it, and Vance rocketed from third to first place in that contest to become the Senate nominee.
One of the things that may have helped close the deal on the vice presidential selection was Vance’s strong rhetorical flourishes in the wake of the assassination attempt on Trump, in which Vance specifically blamed Democrats for creating the conditions for the violence. And another, we now know, was the strong lobbying of Eric and Don Jr.
Trump obviously does not like people who keep attacking him. But he doesn’t necessarily hold a grudge when the person is willing to bend the knee. Indeed, they don’t seem to have to do very much to get back into his good graces.
Lindsey Graham said things almost as harsh about Trump as Vance did back in 2016, saying, “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed... and we will deserve it.” After Trump won, Graham became one of Trump’s best friends by lavishing praise on him frequently. Graham didn’t necessarily change much of his policy stances. Indeed, he has remained a staunch supporter of Ukraine aid even while Trump has frequently come out against it. But Graham was able to secure his career just by praising Trump.
Conversely, the Republicans who have been run out of politics in Trump’s era — people like Jeff Flake, Mitt Romney to some extent, etc. — have largely been run out because they refuse to say the effusive things about Trump. It’s not necessarily because they have some policy difference that can’t be broached — Trump has allies from a wide range of ideological backgrounds. But his main value is loyalty, or at least a demonstration of it, and it doesn’t have to be demonstrated all that convincingly.
Anyway, here are a few photos from around the convention area, including the golden high-tops, political scientists with the Bronze Fonz, and the largest pretzel I have ever encountered.
I doubt that Vance won the election because of Trump's endorsement. Much more likely it's been Thiel who managed to buy him another influential p position.
Just like Trump likely only chose him for VP because it came with over $200 million in campaign donations, though the larger share there came from Musk.