Senator J. D. Vance has been redeemed from his “childless cat lady” PR storm. Since this has devolved into a competition of which vice-presidential contender is better fit to be America’s Dad, Vance on Tuesday night came off as a reasonable and reassuring protector and provider. Minnesota governor Tim Walz came off as a nervous wreck.
Speaking diplomatically with conviction yet civility and composure, Vance dispelled the caricature of him, drummed up by Walz on the campaign trail, as the “weird” guy who hates women. As I watched Vance adeptly explain and carefully thread the needle on family issues such as child care and abortion that had been a major source of criticism of him months ago, I sensed that he was coaxing independent suburban women.
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