Some Republicans regret Trump’s VP pick JD Vance after Harris becomes Dem nominee

Some Republicans are reportedly starting to regret Donald Trump’s pick for a running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, after Vice President Kamala Harris’s sudden ascension to the top of the Democratic ticket.

Trump chose Vance thinking he was running against President Joe Biden, who announced on Sunday that he was stepping aside as the Democratic nominee and endorsing Harris.

The former president believed he was on a glide path to victory in November before Biden’s dropping out shook up the race. Trump chose a running mate that would gin up his base, not appeal to possible swing voters or Republicans hesitant about supporting him.

One House Republican told Axios, “The road got a lot harder. He was the only pick that wasn’t the safe pick. And I think everyone has now realized that.”

Two of the final possible challengers to Vance to be the running mate included Florida Senator Marco Rubio and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, both considered to have more crossover appeal.

Some more old-school establishment Republicans argued for former UN Ambassador and Trump primary challenger Nikki Haley or Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to strike more of a balance and create more of a moderate image.

Another House Republican told Axios that “on the whole,” Vance “doesn’t add much.”

“And now with Kamala at the top, the capacity to have expanded the map a little bit… would have been much more beneficial,” they added.

CNN analyst Harry Enten found that Vance “is making history as the least liked VP nominee (non-incumbent) since 1980 following his/her party’s convention.”

“He’s the first to have a net negative favorable rating. Not surprising given how weak he ran in Ohio in 2022. Far worse than the average Ohio Republican,” he added