In an unexpected admission, Ashley Etienne, the former communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris, has identified Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as the Republican vice presidential candidate who would pose the greatest challenge to her ex-boss in a debate. In an interview with CNN, Etienne did not hold back in her assessment of Vance, touting his debating skills and sharp intellect.
Vance, who has risen to prominence as a Trump-aligned senator, was described by Etienne as having a unique ability to connect with undecided voters—a crucial demographic in any election. “He’s an incredible debater,” Etienne remarked. “He has this quality that I think makes him palpable to that one to two percent that might actually vote, that are undecided who might actually pay attention to the debates, because most people don’t.”
Kamala Harris’s former Comms director, Ashley Etienne, says she thinks JD Vance “would pose the greatest threat” to Harris in a VP debate
Comes as Trump and his team are considering how each prospective running mate would fare on a debate stage with the VP pic.twitter.com/pSxJEFOHAw
— Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) June 17, 2024
Etienne’s acknowledgment comes at a time when Harris is struggling to secure her position within the Democratic Party. Frequently criticized for her public gaffes and perceived lack of leadership, Harris’ approval ratings have been less than stellar. Many Democrats cringe at the thought of her potentially being a heartbeat away from the presidency, given President Biden’s advanced age.
The potential match-up between Harris and Vance would undoubtedly be a spectacle. Vance, a relatively new face in national politics, has quickly made a name for himself with his populist messaging and strong policy proposals. He recently uncovered a “kill switch” Democrats inserted into a funding bill that would have blocked a future President Trump from negotiating an end to the Ukraine-Russia conflict. This discovery, coupled with his strong stance on domestic issues over foreign interventions, has endeared him to the GOP base.
Moreover, Vance has been vocal in defending Trump against what he sees as politically motivated legal actions. He argues that applying the same legal standards used against Trump would make the presidency impossible to execute. “In the name of taking down their political opponent, these guys are really pushing a legal theory that I think would destroy the presidency, whether a Democrat or Republican was in charge,” Vance stated.
Harris, meanwhile, has struggled with her public image. From her awkward explanation of AI technology to her repetitive use of terms like “space cooperation,” she has often come across as unprepared and out of touch. Her attempts to defend Biden’s decision to seek a second term were equally clumsy, famously stating that the 81-year-old president is “very much alive.”
As Trump’s team considers potential running mates, Vance stands out among contenders like Tim Scott, Elise Stefanik, and Marco Rubio. Each brings different strengths and weaknesses to the table, but Vance’s ability to articulate clear, compelling arguments and connect with voters gives him a distinct edge.
In the ever-volatile landscape of American politics, Etienne’s admission sheds light on the potential dynamics of the 2024 election. If selected as Trump’s running mate, Vance could indeed present a formidable challenge to Harris, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown that would captivate the nation.