A recent poll of 1,750 eligible voters revealed varied opinions on Trump’s decision to choose JD Vance as his running mate. It showed that 4% opposed the decision, with 2% expressing strong opposition, while 23% of Republican respondents were neutral. Interestingly, 3% indicated they were unsure.
On the Democratic side, 53% voiced their disapproval, contrasted with only 15% supporting Vance’s candidacy.
Overall, 35% of those surveyed expressed support for Vance, while 29% opposed him. The poll’s margin of error stands at 2.34%. While opinions are mixed, it’s worth noting that Vance has previously held the lowest favorable rating of any vice-presidential pick immediately after a party convention since the 1980s, with a net favorability rating of -6 points. In contrast, vice-presidential nominees in recent cycles have typically seen an average of +18 at this phase.
Compared to Mike Pence in 2016, Vance is performing slightly better; a July 2016 CBS poll showed only 34% of GOP voters supported Trump’s choice to run with Pence, while 28% disapproved.
Interestingly, it appears more Republicans may be coming around to Vance. A YouGov poll indicated that just 27% of GOP members thought Vance was Trump’s best pick for the 2024 campaign, a change from earlier sentiments.
Political analyst Burns pointed out that Trump’s choice seems to stem from a belief in an easy electoral win without relying heavily on his VP candidate. He raised concerns about Vance potentially alienating crucial Republican voters, especially since about a quarter of GOP voters indicated they might abstain from voting if Trump leads the ticket.
Since Vance’s announcement, he’s faced criticism and speculation regarding Trump’s commitment to him as a running mate, with only 7% of commenters being Republicans and half identifying as Democrats.
Responding to criticism, a spokesperson defended Vance, claiming Trump believes they make a perfect team for the White House. However, Vance has been under fire for remarks made during a 2021 interview with Tucker Carlson, where he commented on the state of the country being influenced by “childless” individuals with regrets about their choices.
After backlash from various figures, including Harris’s stepchildren, Vance maintained that his statements were directed at criticizing the Democratic Party rather than individuals without children. He asserted that parenthood profoundly shifts perspectives and criticized the party’s perceived anti-family stance.
Trump defended Vance’s family-oriented viewpoint while acknowledging the limited impact a vice-presidential candidate has on electoral outcomes, reiterating that voters primarily focus on the presidential candidate rather than the running mate.