Here we are, 2 years out of presidential primaries, and people are already trying to position themselves as Trump’s heir apparent. One is the clear leader, but he has a charisma problem. He’s not liked. People just don’t want him. That’s going to be a problem, and it will likely get worse, not better, as time moves along. Heartbreak Hotel. Ha. With thanks to Raw Story:
With Donald Trump reportedly acknowledging to his inner circle that an unconstitutional third term is unlikely, attention has shifted to Vice President JD Vance, who has positioned himself as a potential successor without formally announcing his candidacy. According to the Los Angeles Times, Trump has repeatedly told White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles that a third term “isn’t possible,” but has refrained from giving Vance a definitive endorsement to inherit the MAGA mantle.
Yeah, it’s a bit far out to do anything. Trump has to get through another year before thinking about such things. JD doesn’t have the pull or the strange charisma that Trump has. *Anyone* trying to inherit the Trump mantle is going to have trouble. Well, that is one thing going for Vance, as he does have a tiny bit of bullhockey gained from being in close contact with Trump all this time. It’s just that people detest JD. Now back to the story…
CNN’s Harry Enten reported Monday that betting markets favor Vance in an unsettled field. The vice president maintains a substantial lead in New Hampshire polling. However, the New Republic’s Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling noted that Vance faces significant national favorability challenges — a concerning development for Republicans. While Talking Point USA, now led by Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika, has pledged to support Vance and endorsed him a week ago, polling data suggests limited enthusiasm for his candidacy. Quinlan Houghtaling of The New Republic observed, “No one seems to like him.”
New Hampshire seems to be the critical state for who will win the primary. That has educated me. A different article reported that JD is the clear favorite in polling, with Rubio double digits behind him. But JD has done nothing important that might cause people to change their minds. His problem is that he’s not even close to what Trump is. No one is. Those are some mighty big shoes to fill.
A CNN poll conducted earlier this month found that only 22 percent of Republicans support Vance’s presidential bid. Respondents cited his intelligence as a potential asset and his likelihood of continuing Trump’s agenda as factors in his favor. Despite his status as the presumptive frontrunner after nearly a year auditioning as Trump’s successor, Vance’s favorability does not translate to electability. A striking 64 percent of those polled indicated they currently have “no one specific in mind” as their preferred candidate. Adding to Vance’s challenges, longtime Trump confidant Steve Bannon appears to be mounting a campaign against the vice president, telling his followers that Vance is “not tough enough” for the presidency.
BOOM. Vance is not tough enough. He sure as hell isn’t. And his intelligence? JD? Don’t make us laugh. It seems that, thus far, he isn’t intelligent and has been coasting on sponsor support. He pisses off people more (see: Zelenskyy first visit, and JD being an asshole to put on a show), (also see: eating the cats and dogs, grrrrrr) than he encourages them. He’s going to need support to get anywhere. And if he doesn’t have support, he won’t. Democrats are going to kick ass for the second half of Trump’s term. (Could we please knock down Project 2025? Damn we need to get rid of that thing.) Let’s see how JD does when they do. My bet is on “badly”. What do you think?
Friends, I know everyone begs you for money, especially around the holidays. I promise, among all those asking for spare change, we are the smallest and the hardest working. We’re a group of old, disabled people, except for one writer in his mid-50s. The rest of us are in our sixties and seventies, and this is a labor of love. All we’re asking for is the chance to keep telling the truth about Trump and help ensure democracy survives. If you can help, please do. Thank you. Ursula
sir Vance not a lot, just may fall on a lance of his own devious design and construct: he’s abandoned, then nudged, or pushed, or shoved. But whatever the final vector, and how it materialises. sir Vance not a lot, as he delivers one of his incredulous and shifty public side-eyes, may concurrently sustain a politically terminal lancing, whilst ‘Et tu, sir Vance’ is whispered in the winds of change – give us a democracy, not a dictatorship.
Are you sure you’re not a writer somewhere? Because these are far too good and I’m outclassed *grin* 😉 😉 😉 [yes that was a joke because someone might misunderstand…]
Rest easy Susan. I’m not a writer, anywhere else. I’m just an avid and appreciative reader and respondent to the material posted here on the most excellent PZ site and articulate authors. Hope this clarifies and ceases any misunderstanding by any others.
I wasn’t concerned about you being a writer elsewhere. That was intended as a ***compliment***. The comments you make are great! I save them every time to see when it could be used in a future column. By all means, please keep commenting. I enjoy what you write. And I very much appreciate any and all comments you make! They are thoughtful and enlightening and just plain fun!!! Thank you for taking the time to do so. It’s greatly appreciated.
Even if the right wing spin machine moves in behind him like they did with Nixon and portrays him in the best way possible, they’ll come up against his biggest problem.
It’s not just that he’s UN-likeable, it’s that he’s creepy with it.
There’s something of the uncanny valley about him, something not quite human but trying to be – and not knowing what he gets wrong in a weird way.
Creepy.
Creepy Vance.
Just what is it with all these republicans? There’s none of them you’d leave alone with pets or children.
Creepy, indeed. He looks like he would know all your secrets, and the smile makes it worse. He just doesn’t have anything of what made MAGA such sycophants to Trump. No one does and no one will. They’d be better off campaigning as themselves rather than Trump: The Next Generation. So far there is not a single potential competitor that’s anywhere decent, someone who has skills and charisma and who is themselves, not a pale copy of someone else.
And Ramaswamaidioma has showed up again. He is just as creepy as JD if not more so. At least he’s not stumping for the presidency. Yet. He’d be smart to stay in the governor race instead. And please may he LOSE.
No worries Susan. All good. I did get the “… writer elsewhere …” but at times one cannot be assured of what others may/do think – even if not voiced or expressed in these PZ responders columns … so, I went the extra mile and provided clarity. Likewise, I appreciate the intelligent clarity and wit by all PZ key authors.