Donald Trump has officially selected JD Vance as his Vice Presidential candidate, according to a report by Mediaite on Monday, July 15, 2024. CNN contributor Van Jones recently shared his thoughts on the speculation surrounding Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) potentially being chosen as Donald Trump’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election. His comments came just minutes before the official announcement, lending a sense of prescience to his observations.
Jones didn’t mince words, describing Vance as a “scary dude” and suggesting that his selection would signal Trump’s full commitment to the controversial Project 2025 agenda spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation.
Political commentator Jonah Goldberg also weighed in on Vance’s suitability as a vice-presidential candidate. Goldberg expressed skepticism, stating, “The pick has never made much sense to me.” He elaborated that the rationale often given for Vance, that he could attract blue-collar voters in key states like Ohio and Michigan, doesn’t hold up. According to Goldberg, “The blue-collar people that are inclined to go for Trump are already going for Trump, and J.D. Vance is not the guy to win them over.” Goldberg was also doubtful about Vance’s appeal to “skeptical suburban housewives” or any other critical voter groups.
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However, Goldberg also pointed out a different perspective on Vance’s potential candidacy. He noted, “I’ve also always said…the more the Trump team thinks he’s going to win, the more Vance’s chances improve.” This, Goldberg argued, is because Vance represents a governance-focused pick rather than a campaign-oriented one. He compared Vance to former Vice President Mike Pence, who was instrumental in advancing Trump’s agenda within the government. If Vance is chosen, Goldberg concluded, it “spells a real change for the Republican Party going forward.”
Van Jones responded to Goldberg’s analysis with stark warnings. He emphasized that Vance is a formidable political figure, stating, “This is a scary dude.” Jones underscored that if Trump chooses Vance, it would indicate a serious approach to governance rather than an attempt at unity. “If you’re hoping that, after this near-death experience, we’re going to have a kumbaya convention, this is not a kumbaya pick,” Jones warned. He further elaborated that Vance, with his legal background and aggressive style, would be a key player in pushing through Trump’s policies. “He’s an attack dog…He’s going to be in there making a whole bunch of stuff happen,” Jones added.
Jones also touched on the broader implications of a Vance vice presidency. He expressed concerns about Project 2025, a conservative initiative that many Democrats find alarming. According to Jones, Vance is the type of figure who would actively advance such an agenda, keeping many on the left “up at night.” The potential shift in the Republican Party’s direction, solidified by a figure like Vance, represents a significant cause for concern among Democrats.
In his remarks, Jones didn’t shy away from discussing Trump’s health, juxtaposing it with the scrutiny faced by President Biden. “We’ve talked a lot about Biden not being healthy. Donald Trump is not healthy,” Jones said, highlighting Trump’s well-known affinity for unhealthy food and reports of his heart disease. The implication here is clear: if something were to happen to Trump, Vance could very well become president. Jones drew a parallel to the discussions around Vice President Kamala Harris’s readiness, suggesting that Vance as a successor would mean “a hardening of the Republican Party around a MAGA agenda with a very capable guy.”
The prospect of Vance stepping into the role of president, either immediately or in the future, adds another layer to the political calculus. “That does scare the crap out of a lot of Democrats,” Jones admitted. His concluding remarks left little doubt about the stakes: “This is not going to be a kumbaya convention if he’s picked.”
The selection of J.D. Vance as Trump’s vice-presidential candidate is more than just a strategic move; it is a signal of the former president’s intentions to double down on his agenda.
