Posted on Dec 21, 2023
Analysis: A look back at J.D. Vance's first year in office
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"A year ago, I posited, which J.D. Vance will show up in the Senate? Now we know.
Prior to 2022, it's unlikely Donald Trump even knew Vance's name.
But now, as Vance's first year in Congress comes to a close, he may well be the ex-president's favorite senator.
When the 39-year-old freshman senator opens his mouth, either on the floor of the Senate or on X, his social media platform of choice, it is music to Trump's ears.
And why not?
Without Trump, Vance would probably not be a member of the exclusive club we call the Senate.
In late 2021 and early 2022, Vance was locked in an Ohio primary battle for the GOP Senate nomination — an open seat, thanks to the retirement of Rob Portman.
Then Vance's campaign got an enormous boost with a $3 million contribution from Peter Thiel, the billionaire venture capitalist who was a friend of Trump".
Prior to 2022, it's unlikely Donald Trump even knew Vance's name.
But now, as Vance's first year in Congress comes to a close, he may well be the ex-president's favorite senator.
When the 39-year-old freshman senator opens his mouth, either on the floor of the Senate or on X, his social media platform of choice, it is music to Trump's ears.
And why not?
Without Trump, Vance would probably not be a member of the exclusive club we call the Senate.
In late 2021 and early 2022, Vance was locked in an Ohio primary battle for the GOP Senate nomination — an open seat, thanks to the retirement of Rob Portman.
Then Vance's campaign got an enormous boost with a $3 million contribution from Peter Thiel, the billionaire venture capitalist who was a friend of Trump".
Analysis: A look back at J.D. Vance's first year in office
Posted from wvxu.org
United States Senate
Donald Trump
Congress
Posted 5 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Without Trump, Vance would probably not be a member of the exclusive club we call the Senate.
In late 2021 and early 2022, Vance was locked in an Ohio primary battle for the GOP Senate nomination — an open seat, thanks to the retirement of Rob Portman.
Then Vance's campaign got an enormous boost with a $3 million contribution from Peter Thiel, the billionaire venture capitalist who was a friend of Trump.
A Trump endorsement of Vance followed quickly — even though Trump seemed to have a hard time remembering his candidate's name, at one point calling him "J.D. Mandel," conflating his name with that of his then-opponent, Josh Mandel.
Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance speaks as former President Donald Trump listens at a campaign rally at Wright Bros. Aero Inc. at Dayton International Airport on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Vandalia, Ohio.
But the Trump endorsement pulled him across the finish line in the primary; and Vance went on to win the general election with 53% of the vote to 47% for the Democratic candidate, Tim Ryan.
Since taking office last January, Vance has consistently been Trump's voice in the Senate and a thorn in the side to his party's Senate leader, Mitch McConnell.
"The Cruzs and the Hawleys can say the same things, but Vance thinks he can do it in a more appealing way," said David Niven, political science professor at the University of Cincinnati.
Recently, the online news service Axios published a story listing Vance as one of Trump's potential running mates in 2024 — or, at the very least, a significant cabinet position should Trump win a second term.
Vance has said he would rather stay in the Senate and help the Trump cause that way.
"That's what they all say," Niven said. "They often change their minds if they are asked."
Requests to Vance's press office for an interview drew no response. And several Republicans we talked to declined to talk on the record about the senator.
ANALYSIS: Ohio's 2024 Senate primary is shaping up to be a repeat of 2022
One of his colleagues, though, Sen. Mitt Romney, had quite a bit to say about Vance, according to the book about the former GOP presidential nominee written by McKay Coppins."...
..."Without Trump, Vance would probably not be a member of the exclusive club we call the Senate.
In late 2021 and early 2022, Vance was locked in an Ohio primary battle for the GOP Senate nomination — an open seat, thanks to the retirement of Rob Portman.
Then Vance's campaign got an enormous boost with a $3 million contribution from Peter Thiel, the billionaire venture capitalist who was a friend of Trump.
A Trump endorsement of Vance followed quickly — even though Trump seemed to have a hard time remembering his candidate's name, at one point calling him "J.D. Mandel," conflating his name with that of his then-opponent, Josh Mandel.
Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance speaks as former President Donald Trump listens at a campaign rally at Wright Bros. Aero Inc. at Dayton International Airport on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Vandalia, Ohio.
But the Trump endorsement pulled him across the finish line in the primary; and Vance went on to win the general election with 53% of the vote to 47% for the Democratic candidate, Tim Ryan.
Since taking office last January, Vance has consistently been Trump's voice in the Senate and a thorn in the side to his party's Senate leader, Mitch McConnell.
"The Cruzs and the Hawleys can say the same things, but Vance thinks he can do it in a more appealing way," said David Niven, political science professor at the University of Cincinnati.
Recently, the online news service Axios published a story listing Vance as one of Trump's potential running mates in 2024 — or, at the very least, a significant cabinet position should Trump win a second term.
Vance has said he would rather stay in the Senate and help the Trump cause that way.
"That's what they all say," Niven said. "They often change their minds if they are asked."
Requests to Vance's press office for an interview drew no response. And several Republicans we talked to declined to talk on the record about the senator.
ANALYSIS: Ohio's 2024 Senate primary is shaping up to be a repeat of 2022
One of his colleagues, though, Sen. Mitt Romney, had quite a bit to say about Vance, according to the book about the former GOP presidential nominee written by McKay Coppins."...
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