J.D. Vance Bombs Audition As Trump Heir Apparent

Ed Kilgore: “Just as it’s not too late for Trump’s candidacy to recover, Vance could definitely get his mojo back. But he’s not off to a good start. And if the Trump-Vance ticket does lose, the future may not look so bright for Trump’s heir apparent.”

“Most veep nominees who lose the first time they appear on a presidential ticket have less-than-robust futures in national politics. In this century, Sarah Palin and Paul Ryan once burned brightly in the GOP firmament but soon faded; Tim Kaine returned to a productive but obscure Senate career. There have been five non-incumbent losing vice-presidential candidates since World War II who later ran for president: Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (on Nixon’s ticket in 1960 and a presidential candidate in 1964), Ed Muskie (veep nominee in 1968, a candidate for the White House in 1972), Bob Dole (Ford’s running mate in 1976 and then a candidate for president in 1980, 1988, and 1996), Joe Lieberman (Gore’s veep in 2000, a presidential aspirant in 2004), and John Edwards (as in Kerry-Edwards ’04 and then a candidate for president four years later). All but Dole failed to win a presidential nomination, and it took him 20 years as a legendary Senate leader before finally getting his big chance, only to get smoked by Bill Clinton in 1996.”

“In other words, if Vance wants to rule the GOP and the MAGA movement, he should pray for victory in November or his once-bright prospects might yield to a future of Hillbilly Elegy readings at county GOP fundraisers and Knights of Columbus dinners.”