Recent remarks made by JD Vance in 2021 criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership due to her lack of biological children have resurfaced, presenting a challenge for the young conservative senator as he begins campaigning as part of the Republican presidential ticket.
During Vance’s Senate campaign in Ohio, he appeared on Fox News where he stated that “we are effectively run in this country via the Democrats,” referring to them as “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices they’ve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too.” This statement included Harris, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Vance questioned the sense of turning the country over to individuals who do not have a direct stake in it, despite the fact that Harris became a stepmother to two teenagers and Buttigieg adopted twins with his husband prior to Vance’s comments. The clip of his remarks has been circulating online, with Hillary Clinton also sharing it and criticizing Vance.
This resurfaced comment reflects difficulties faced by the GOP ticket in appealing to women voters and addressing reproductive rights issues. It also highlights concerns about Vance’s limited experience in Congress and his untested status on a larger stage as Trump’s running mate.
The Harris campaign refuted Vance’s statements, emphasizing that every American has a stake in the country’s future. They criticized Vance and Trump for their attacks and their Project 2025 agenda, highlighting concerns about abortion rights and Social Security.
Vance’s spokesperson defended his views, citing his success influenced by strong female role models. Vance, a former Marine and author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” has developed ties with Trump and MAGA supporters through his personal story.
One key issue facing Vance is his stance on abortion, as he previously expressed support for a federal bill limiting abortions after 15 weeks but with exceptions. He also proposed allowing parents to cast ballots on behalf of their children during a speech in 2021.
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