Shortly after former President Donald Trump’s announcement that Sen. JD Vance would be his running mate, Vance is set to officially accept the Republican Party’s nomination on Wednesday evening.
Following Trump’s declaration, GOP delegates quickly nominated Vance to join Trump on the presidential ticket for the upcoming election.
Similar to other speakers at the Republican National Convention this week, Vance previously voiced skepticism about Trump. During Tuesday’s session, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, both of whom competed against Trump in the primary earlier this year, were featured.
Back in 2016, Vance openly stated that he couldn’t support Trump, referring to him as a “fraud.” Learn more here
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Despite his previous reservations about Trump, Republicans are working to present a convention that demonstrates the party’s unity, claiming it’s the strongest it’s been in years.
Encouraged by recent polls showing Trump leading President Joe Biden, Republicans are optimistic. According to a poll released Tuesday by Reuters and Ipsos, Trump is currently ahead of Biden by two points in the popular vote. While this margin falls within the poll’s margin of error, most battleground state polls also indicate Trump’s advantage.
The key battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are deemed crucial. Republicans believe Vance’s addition to the ticket will specifically benefit Trump in these states.
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Vance’s Senate tenure spans less than two years, making his Wednesday speech potentially the first introduction for many voters. He’s anticipated to focus on his upbringing in Southwest Ohio, emphasizing his impoverished background and challenging childhood.
The speech aims to resonate with White working-class voters, a vital constituency for the Republican Party.