As the clock ticks towards the ballot access deadline, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has voiced his skepticism about JD Vance, the controversial running mate of former President Donald Trump.
Schumer's remarks came during a recent appearance on Face the Nation, where he expressed his belief that Trump might be second-guessing his choice. "The addition of JD Vance on this ticket is an incredibly bad choice," Schumer stated. "Donald Trump, I know him, and hes probably sitting and watching the TV, and every day it comes out Vance has done something more extreme, more weird, more erratic.
According to The Independent, the deadline for ballot access in Vance's home state of Ohio is fast approaching. Although the Ohio secretary of state has extended the deadline to September 1, Schumer suggests that Trump might be reconsidering his decision. "And Ill bet President Trump is sitting there scratching his head and wondering, why did I pick this guy? Schumer added, questioning, Does he keep Vance on the ticket?
Vance, the author of a best-selling memoir about his impoverished upbringing in Ohio, was initially seen as a promising addition to the ticket. Republicans hoped that his youth and Rust Belt roots would lend credibility to their campaign. However, Vance's tenure has been marred by a series of gaffes and controversial past remarks.
Vance has drawn criticism for a resurfaced clip in which he referred to top Democrats, including Vice President Harris, as childless cat ladies, while arguing that those with children should wield more political power than those without. He has also faced scrutiny for his online interactions with white nationalists and his endorsements of far-right books that label progressives as unhuman. Vance's involvement in Project 2025, a radical policy model for a future Trump administration, has further tarnished his reputation, despite Trump's denial of any association with the project.
Perhaps most damaging of all, Vance once likened Trump to Americas Hitler in a conversation with his law school roommate. These controversies have led to a wave of regret among Republican commentators and lawmakers, who had chosen Vance as a candidate before Joe Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 race.
A House Republican told Axios, The road got a lot harder. He was the only pick that wasnt the safe pick. And I think everyone has now realized that. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro echoed this sentiment on his show, stating, If you had a time machine, if you go back two weeks, would [Trump] have picked JD Vance again? I doubt it.
As the deadline looms, the question remains: Will Trump stand by his controversial running mate, or will he opt for a safer choice? Only time will tell.
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