The most surprising aspect of Donald Trump’s choice of JD Vance as his vice presidential running mate is how unsurprising it is, following months of debate as to the best choice for the GOP.
The number of candidates considered seriously by Trump was a much shorter list than the wide swathe initially announced as being asked for background materials, and Vance was always at or near the top. He has an exterior of political celebrity that Trump found appealing, a compelling life story retold across platforms – the combination of a blue-chip pedigree and military experience and a sense of humour that bound him closely with Donald Trump Jr.
Victory, in the end, went to the favourite
The positives for Vance are that he represents a loyal soldier for the Trump movement and agenda. His instinct to punch back is Trumpian – and his views on foreign policy and the nationalist economic agenda are thoroughly consistent with Trump.
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