Ground Game: Trump’s VP contenders, Democrat unease, and the Supreme Court term

This newsletter was originally sent out via email to our Ground Game subscribers on July 01, 2024. You can subscribe at any time at apnews.com/newsletters.

Plus, uneasy feelings among Democrats after Biden’s debate performance, and presidential immunity on Supreme Court’s final decision day {beacon}

By Meg Kinnard

July 01, 2024 07:01:58 AM

By Meg Kinnard

July 01, 2024 07:01:58 AM

  

The Republicans hoping to become Donald Trump’s running mate have in some cases abandoned long-held policy positions and recanted vehement criticism. Democrats, meanwhile, are distressed over President Joe Biden's debate performance, though there are no signs he will end his candidacy.

Welcome to this week’s edition of AP Ground Game.

 

THE HEADLINES

Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally in Chesapeake, Va., June 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Shifting sands among Trump’s VP contenders

It’s hard to refer to someone as “Hitler” and end up in their good graces, let alone potentially become the person they choose to help lead the country.

But that’s precisely what Ohio Sen. JD Vance did. Vance has said he was initially “wrong” about Trump and now holds views closely aligned with the presumptive GOP nominee.

It’s not unheard of for a running mate to move beyond past disagreements with a presidential candidate. But Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, will soon choose a new running mate from a list that includes several onetime critics.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio called Trump “the most vulgar person to ever aspire to the presidency” as they ran against each other in 2016. A prominent voice on immigration, Rubio has cheered Trump’s proposals and says he supports his plan to deploy the U.S. military to deport those in the country illegally.

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