The Vance/Haley Humiliation Contest

Behind their groveling will be a tug-o-war for the soul of the GOP

J.D. Vance 2016 – “I’m a Never Trump guy, I never liked him.”

                                       “Trump was America’s Hitler.”

                                       “My God what an idiot.”

As you can see, Senator J.D. Vance (R-Oh.), once recognized the former president and current Oval Office candidate for who he is: a dangerous man bent on power. Now he is Trump’s running mate in his campaign to return to the presidency. In accepting the offer to be Trump’s backup, Vance has completed his transformation from brave and clear-eyed critic to abject sycophant and co-leader of the cult that has overtaken the once grand Republican Party.

Thirty-nine-year-old Vance shot to fame with a bestselling memoir called Hillbilly Elegy, which depicted the struggles of Americans (including his friends and family) who lived in declining rural communities. Back then he opposed large-scale government aid for his so-called hillbillies.  Today he advocates Trump’s brand of populism, which would wield the power of government to somehow revive the cities and towns where they live.

As he now supports Trump’s policies -- for trade-crippling tariffs, mass deportations of immigrants, withdrawal of support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia – Vance is now what Ohio political scientist David Niven calls, “…an echo of Trump, not a new voice.” Indeed, in some ways Vance goes beyond Trump, implying, for example, that victims of incest be denied access to abortion.

To see J.D. Vance is to see a rank opportunist who knows where his bread is buttered. Indeed, as he has blasted coastal elites, especially those of Silicon Valley, he has courted the super-wealthy leaders of the technology revolution, and here is one reason for Trump’s pro-Vance enthusiasm.  As a former venture capitalist for tech companies, Vance has helped bring his former colleagues into Trump's orbit where they have begun to make sizeable payments to support his White House bid.

Money being the lifeblood of politics, Trump surely considered Vance’s fundraising ability, but when he posted his current feelings on social media he was all about his VP pick’s  other qualifications.

“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator JD Vance of the Great State of Ohio.” In a letter to donors Trump said the media “will say MAGA-Patriots like YOU won’t vote for me with JD Vance on the ticket. NOW’S THE TIME FOR US TO PROVE THEM WRONG!” Trump’s  messages made it clear: Vance is his Mini Me.”

Sadly, Vance is not the only formerly fierce critic to abandon principle in favor of proximity to power. Nikki Haley, former candidate for the GOP nomination, has accepted an invitation to speak at Trump’s coronation – oops, the Republican National Convention --  where her task will be to draw her Never-Trump followers into the Trump tent. We must remember that just months ago Haley maintained her long-term anti-Trump stand calling him a ”diminished” and unhinged” man. She said that voting for him would be political “suicide.” Now she says she’ll be voting for Trump and she freed her convention delegates to cast their ballots for him when the state delegations are polled.

Haley is obviously making a bid to be secretary-of-something in a second Trump administration. (I think she would get this reward.)  As a young-ish woman from the South (South Carolina) she has long represented more convention Republicanism and it’s possible she would return the party to this pre-Trump sanity. However, with her reversal, she has established the fact that in future cabinet meetings, she will be seated with Vance. There I expect them to participate in the kind of groveling displays of sycophancy that made former Veep Mike Pence into a laughingstock.

With Trump leading in the polls and President Biden dogged by Democrats who want him to step down, it currently seems likely that the Trumpist candidates (there are no true Republicans on the ticket) will win. In that event, we’re in for a Vance-Haley humiliation competition. This tug-o’-war will determine whether, in 2028, the GOP will either continue with Trumpism or return to sanity. I expect the Trumpist Vance to prevail but my hopes lie with Haley.