J.D. Vance the Perfect Pick

Like President Trump, J. D. Vance arrived in politics as an outsider. J.D. gained national recognition when he captured hearts and minds with his bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” and the Academy Award-winning movie adaptation. With searing eloquence, he describes the challenges facing working-class America, especially heartland communities decimated by economic decline and cultural decay brought on by global elitist policies. Vance shares his rare perspective as someone who rose from a troubled family and poor communities to an Ivy League law degree and professional success. For J.D., a devoted grandmother and the U.S. Marine Corps formed his path toward upward mobility – the keys to his Horatio Alger life story that will resonate with voters, especially blue-collar citizens in battleground states.

As a veteran who was deployed with the Marines to a war zone, Vance speaks with personal authority and authenticity when he counters the schemes of the interventionist Washington foreign policy establishment. In fact, Vance has emerged as one of the most persuasive voices for a true Trumpian international approach of realism and restraint. Regarding trade policy with China or military assistance to Ukraine, Vance represents well the growing belief of Republican and independent voters who insist that we secure America’s own prosperity and our own border before, as the Biden clearly does, prioritizing faraway regional battles. These issues matter materially to voters. In fact, Trump’s 2016 victory was propelled by key voter shifts in the areas of battleground states with the highest concentrations of veterans like Vance. These patriots rallied to Trump’s peace through strength agenda and they will again.

Vance won his Senate seat as an outsider political novice in a hotly contested primary against far better-financed opponents with significant political experience. This grueling come-from-behind win sharpened his media abilities enormously, and that trend has only accelerated since he joined the Senate. Unlike many Republican elected officials, Vance willingly and enthusiastically welcomes tough confrontational interviews on hostile platforms and handles these interrogations flawlessly. In addition, all Trump supporters should relish the prospect of a Vance vs. Kamala Harris debate, which will prove as much of a mismatch as Trump’s drubbing of mumbling Biden. Vance commands mastery of policy details yet delivers that knowledge with clarity and likability. As for the current vice president? Well, let us just say career politician Harris will not enjoy trying to match Vance’s intellect or authenticity.

Vance is a magnet for particularly heated vitriol from the spokesmen and platforms of the American so-called elite. Why? Because they see him as a former insider who turned on them. In other words, just like Donald Trump, Vance was once considered part of the “club” of elites given his educational pedigree and experience in finance.

Moreover, the tremendous success of his book and movie made him the toast of the town in places like Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Like President Trump, he could have continued on that path of lucrative deals and constant adulation from the supposed “important people.” Instead, to pursue better lives for Americans in circumstances he knew as a child and young man, Vance chose the more difficult path as an America first political thinker and officeholder.

As he stated to the RNC, “Joe Biden has been a politician in Washington as long as I have been alive. He’s been a champion of every single policy initiative to make America weaker and poorer”. Vance willingly passed on monetary rewards and societal accolades for higher patriotic goals, which speaks to his true character as an adoring father and husband.

Additionally, J.D. Vance embodies the journey of many Republicans who transitioned from being Trump skeptics to ardent supporters based on Trump’s performance as President. This shift underscores Vance’s alignment with the broader inclusive movement that Trump has cultivated, making him an ideal running mate who resonates deeply with all aspects of today’s Republican Party.

Beyond this election, Vance is perfectly positioned to be President Trump’s effective partner and understudy for four years in the White House – and then to lead the America First movement well into the future after Trump’s second term. Intraparty contests can be tough and bruising, whether primary fights or competitions for running-mate selection. Clearly, there were other super impressive candidates in the mix for this key position as vice-presidential nominee. The GOP bench is deep and healthy! But all Republicans should now march in lockstep behind this ticket and trust that our fearless nominee Donald Trump has made the best possible selection in J.D. Vance.

Perry O Hooper Jr is a former State Representative who writes columns on his political perspective and has been published in a number of publications around Alabama and beyond. He was an early supporter of Donald Trump and was the 2016 Trump Victory Chair.

Opinions expressed in the Alabama Gazette are the opinions and viewpoints of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Alabama Gazette staff, advertisers, and/ publishers.