Why JD Vance is likely to pay attention to Kamala Harris's public image

During the early morning editorial meeting, a colleague shared an intriguing piece of trivia he read in The Wall Street Journal about JD Vance, Trump’s vice presidential pick. If Donald Trump wins the election, Vance would be the first person with facial hair in the White House since Harry S Truman’s goatee. Based on the presidential and vice presidential portraits, the last full beard among presidents and vice presidents was worn by Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President, who served from 1889 until 1893.

When the trigger was pulled on the AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle, aiming a bullet at former US president and 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, the news cycle immediately centred on the Grand Old Party. Fortunately, the bullet missed the target by a whisker, but it injected new energy into the Republican campaign. Amid this news cycle, the name of Trump’s vice presidential pick emerged – right wing Ohio Senator JD Vance.

According to Joel Goldstein, a vice presidential scholar at Saint Louis University, Vance is “the least experienced individual chosen as a major party running mate in over 80 years,” he told USA TODAY.

That isn’t the kind of recognition Vance would be looking forward to, but he is well aware of the potential pitfalls in the vice presidential role, thanks to incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris, of course, can boast about her significant advantage, possessing a vast array of experience, while Vance has served in the Senate for less than two years and has no prior political background.

No easy run for Harris

Vice President Harris has achieved a multitude of firsts.

As Biden’s running mate, she became the first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American elected vice president. Prior to that, she was the first South Asian American and only the second Black woman to serve in the US Senate. Before that, she was the first woman, Black American and South Asian American to serve as attorney general of California. Earlier still, she was the first Black woman in California elected as a district attorney. When Biden underwent a colonoscopy in November 2021, Harris became the first woman and the first South Asian American to officially wield presidential authority, serving as acting president during the procedure.

However, her tenure as vice president has been marked by a string of harsh headlines. According to The Atlantic, from the outset, Harris’s vice presidency has been scrutinised in the media: “Exasperation and Dysfunction: Inside Kamala Harris’ Frustrating Start as Vice President” (CNN, November 2021), “A Kamala Harris Staff Exodus Reignites Questions About Her Leadership Style—And Her Future Ambitions” (The Washington Post, December 2021), “New Book Says Biden Called Harris a ‘Work in Progress’ ” (Politico, December 2022), and “Kamala Harris Is Trying to Define Her Vice Presidency. Even Her Allies Are Tired of Waiting” (The New York Times, February 2023).

From the outset, President Joe Biden found himself having to defend his vice president amid growing public doubts about her performance. Harris’s first year in office was marred by gaffes, high staff turnover, political missteps and confusion among even her supporters about her specific responsibilities.

The Atlantic wrote that the ambiguity surrounding Harris’s role has invited comedic takes as evidenced by an early Onion headline: “White House Encourages Kamala Harris to Remain at Computer, Anticipating Incoming Emails.”

According to David Leonhardt in The New York Times, Harris has faced ongoing challenges in the 2024 campaign in articulating her vision for the nation and elucidating to voters how she intends to enhance their lives. Unlike politicians who ascend from governorships or congressional roles, where they refine such messaging over years, prosecutors typically do not. During her campaign, she occasionally appeared to struggle in outlining her own policy positions.

According to a POLITICO/Morning Consult poll, just one-third of voters believe it’s probable that Harris would win an election if she were to be the Democratic nominee, with only three in five Democrats sharing this confidence. Among independents, a quarter believe she would prevail. Vice President Harris is confronting significant scepticism about her prospects of winning the presidency outright or effectively assuming the role from Joe Biden if such a situation arises.

Why Vance would delve deeply into Harris’ vice presidency

Vance, once a vocal critic of Trump, is now poised to scrutinise Harris’s vice presidency closely. At 39, he stands as the first millennial vice presidential candidate, tasked not only with redefining his image and defending Trump but also with avoiding the missteps that have plagued Harris. Initially a “Never Trump” advocate in 2016, the Ohio Republican must now ensure he doesn’t fall into the same traps as Harris, albeit from the opposite side of the political spectrum, should Trump secure victory.

USA Today suggests Vance could bolster Trump’s position in key swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. However, the impact of abortion rights and democratic values, issues championed by Harris, on President Biden’s re-election bid remains uncertain.

For now, President Biden finds himself with a rival in Trump and a frenemy in Harris.