What I Learned Meeting Voters with JD Vance
The purpose of politics: to improve the lives of everyday Americans, of the people so often ignored or even reviled by the permanent political class.
Campaigns have occupied much of my professional life over the last 7 years, especially the 2016 and 2020 election efforts of Donald J. Trump. As a media specialist and messaging strategist, most of my outreach occurs via broadcasts, speaking into cameras and microphones for TV and radio programs.
As such, I always treasure real in-person interaction with the amazing citizens of America. Such connections reinforce the crucial reasons why we advocate so strongly for this America First movement – to improve the lives of everyday Americans, of the people so often ignored or even reviled by the permanent crony political class of America.
In recent days, I enjoyed the privilege of meeting scores of patriotic Americans during a barnstorming town hall tour of Ohio with US Senate candidate JD Vance. From a sunrise-to-sunset schedule of constant engagement with voters, here are my three important takeaways:
1. Enthusiasm. Voters are incredibly informed and, frankly, agitated. They recognize the peril of our country’s present circumstances, especially the various created crises of Joe Biden that currently afflict America. Inflation and Immigration remain the two most pressing concerns, as relayed by nearly every single voter Vance and I met across Ohio.
Working-class Americans and those on fixed incomes clearly struggle mightily to deal with the runway inflation stoked directly by Joe Biden’s policies. But they also channel that anger into action, into demanding that candidates address these Biden failures with concrete policy fixes.
These reasonable demands translate into a giant enthusiasm gap that sets the table for a massive Republican win come November…if the Party and candidates embrace serious reforms needed return our country to the kind of prosperity and security America enjoyed during the pre-pandemic days with Trump in charge.
According to NBC News polling, the current enthusiasm gap favored Republicans by 11% in October of 2021, rallied to 14% pro-GOP in January of 2022, and now stands at a massive 17% advantage, the largest gap since 2010 when Republicans surged by 60 House seats in midterm elections.
2. Outsiders. Even the most dedicated Republican voters remain deeply suspicious of establishment political figures, from BOTH parties. Practical Americans keenly understand how much the globalist powerbrokers of the ruling class have abused regular Americans, and the electorate clearly continues to favor newcomers to politics and candidates with significant life experiences outside of the political arena.
The surest way for the Republican Party, therefore, to squander the massive advantage of voter enthusiasm, cited above, is to promote and protect too many establishment political lifers. This outsider aspect of JD Vance represents a key reason that I advocate enthusiastically for his candidacy.
3. Authenticity. It was exceedingly clear meeting the concerned citizens of Ohio that these patriots demand original and heartfelt communication and messaging from candidates. Donald Trump changed the game, and even for voters who do not support the 45th President, the dynamic has shifted against canned sloganeering and slick packaging as the basis of campaigning. Biden’s failures have been so intense, and in such rapid succession, that American voters right now show zero patience with excuses or lawyerly doublespeak from politicians.
For example, JD’s latest campaign ad clearly strikes a key chord, especially among often-maligned deplorables. Vance clearly states that we cannot allow the Left’s smears to deter us from critical tasks like securing our border. If corporate media and the intelligentsia believe that secure borders are “racist,” then so be it. We have a country to save and cannot be preoccupied with their aspersions.
More candidates should follow JD Vance’s lead and commit to frequent town halls. Grass roots connections to citizens form an invaluable part of the process of candidates effectively “interviewing” for the critical jobs of elected officials.
I’m in Ohio and voting for JD on May 3. In 2016 I didn’t start out being for Trump either but I came around. Off topic but WHY is Trump endorsing DR. OZ in PA and NOT JD Vance in Ohio.
Another terrific article—short and to the point. Shared it widely with my PD posse and a candidate or two.Thx Steve