Why Trump picked JD Vance as his running mate

Back in 2016, Donald Trump chose Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his vice presidential candidate. This decision was seen as a strategy to appeal to evangelical Christian voters who might have been unsure about supporting Trump, a former Democrat who had been married multiple times.

This time, he decided to choose JD Vance. Just like before, the decision to select the Ohio senator gives us a glimpse into the former president's plan for his campaign - and how he might govern if he is re-elected.

The selection indicates that Trump is aware that the outcome of this election will be determined in a small number of key battleground states in the industrial Midwest.

Originally from Ohio, Mr. Vance captured the public's interest with the publication of his highly successful autobiography Hillbilly Elegy. The book describes his working-class childhood and explores how it shaped his beliefs and perspectives.

Based on his experience, Vance may have a good chance of resonating with and motivating the white, working class individuals who played a key role in helping Trump win those states by a small margin in 2016.

The ex-president stated in a post on social media that his choice for vice president will prioritize the American workers and farmers in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and beyond.

Trump praised his choice for his military experience and his education from an esteemed law school.

At just 39 years old, Vance brings a youthful perspective that contrasts with the older candidates leading both major party tickets. His selection by Trump sets him up to be a key figure in the next wave of Maga Republicans. If the former president wins back the White House in the next election, Vance will be a strong contender for the 2028 presidential nomination for the party.

Vance initially spoke out against Trump before the 2016 election, a point that was highlighted by Democrats. However, he has now emerged as a vocal supporter of the ex-president, especially on TV news channels.

Trump likely took into account his recent dedication and competence when making his decision.

In response to a question about his thoughts on Trump's loss in the 2020 election, he stated that he did not think it was a fair decision. He also mentioned that, unlike Mr. Pence, he would have attempted to prevent the certification of the election outcome in Congress on January 6, 2021, the same day as the Capitol riot.

Mr Vance shares the same political beliefs as the former president. They agree on topics like trade, immigration, and foreign policy. Mr Vance has strongly criticized the ongoing US support for Ukraine.

In places where the two men disagreed, Mr. Vance has changed his position to align with his new running mate. For instance, he has shifted his stance on allowing women who have been victims of rape or incest to have access to abortions, which he previously opposed.

During his campaign, Trump has revealed some of his ideas for running the country if he wins a second term. These include implementing tariffs on all imports, promising to remove millions of undocumented immigrants from the country, and making significant changes to the government workforce. The selection of Vance as his running mate shows that Trump is fully committed to his Trumpism ideology.

His Democratic rivals are likely to bring up this point as well. Mr. Biden mentioned to journalists on Monday that he doesn't see any distinction between Mr. Vance and the ex-president.

"He's basically a carbon copy of Trump when it comes to his stance on the issues," he remarked.

That could be precisely what Trump desires.