Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

appalachiablue

(42,506 posts)
Fri Oct 4, 2024, 10:35 AM Yesterday

JD Vance, Handpicked Leader Anti-Democracy Mvmt in US, RW Tech Lords' Pick Pres 2028: R Reich

'JD Vance is the handpicked leader of the anti-democracy movement in the US,' by Robert Reich. The Guardian, Oct. 3, 2023. - Ed.

Rightwing tech lords are betting that Vance will be the Republican presidential pick in 2028. They’re probably right.
-----
JD Vance, the Republican candidate for vice-president, will almost certainly be the Republican presidential candidate in 2028, regardless of whether Donald Trump wins in November. But who is JD Vance, really? An opportunist chameleon who once viewed Donald Trump as “Hitler” and is now his pit bull?Or does Vance have an agenda over and above mere political ambition? In one of the most important exchanges of Tuesday’s vice-presidential debate, Vance refused to say that the former president lost the 2020 election, and he downplayed the violent events of Jan. 6.

Vance also declined to rule out challenging the outcome of the upcoming election even if votes were certified by every state leader as legitimate. Trump picked Vance as his running mate because Vance publicly stated he’d do what Mike Pence refused to do – overturn democracy and place the US under Maga control. In response to a question ABC’s George Stephanopoulos asked Vance last Feb. – “Had you been vice-president on Jan. 6th, would you have certified the election results?” – Vance said: “If I had been vice-president, I would have told the states, like PA, GA, and so many others, that we needed to have multiple slates of electors, and I think the US Congress should have fought over it from there.”

In 2020, Vance alleged that the 2020 election was stolen and that Biden’s immigration policy meant “more Democrat voters pouring into this country”.

In 2022, he suggested that Democrats were attempting to “transform the electorate” amid an immigrant “invasion”. Echoing the so-called “great replacement theory”, Vance told voters, “You’re talking about a shift in the democratic makeup of this country that would mean we never win, meaning Republicans would never win a national election in this country ever again.” In contrast to Trump, who has no ideology except accumulating power and wealth for himself and taking revenge on those who would deny these to him, Vance does have an ideology.

He’s the emerging leader of the anti-democracy movement in the US.

Vance would never have become a senator from Ohio in 2022 were it not for the billionaire tech financier Peter Thiel, who staked $15m on Vance’s election – a major portion of all the funds that went into Vance’s race. Thiel knew what he was buying. Vance had worked for Thiel’s California venture capital firm before running for the Senate and was part of Thiel’s libertarian community of rich crypto bros, tech executives, back-to-the-landers and disaffected far-right intellectuals..Thiel is a self-styled libertarian who once wrote: “I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible.”...
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/03/jd-vance-anti-democracy-movement-leader

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
JD Vance, Handpicked Leader Anti-Democracy Mvmt in US, RW Tech Lords' Pick Pres 2028: R Reich (Original Post) appalachiablue Yesterday OP
The one and only! --- appalachiablue Yesterday #1
I disagree on the point that 'He's the emerging leader of the anti-democracy movement in the US' Attilatheblond Yesterday #2
I see your points, the powerful oligarchs in charge may need to consider appalachiablue Yesterday #3
Solid analysis! Attilatheblond Yesterday #4
If Vance runs for Pres in 2028, it means he can't get re-elected as Senator from Ohio FakeNoose Yesterday #5

Attilatheblond

(3,892 posts)
2. I disagree on the point that 'He's the emerging leader of the anti-democracy movement in the US'
Fri Oct 4, 2024, 11:12 AM
Yesterday

He is the emerging 'front man' FOR the anti-democracy movement in the US. The actual anti-democracy leaders are ultra-rich American Oligarchs and the disgusting henchmen they employ as un-American/anti democracy legal eagles and propagandists.

From what has become available about Vance's past positions, one might safely assume he will assume any position for the opportunity and prestige the Oval Office provides. He has already proved he will take orders, any orders, to advance his political standing after only 2 years in 'public service' serving himself and his big donors.

appalachiablue

(42,506 posts)
3. I see your points, the powerful oligarchs in charge may need to consider
Fri Oct 4, 2024, 12:00 PM
Yesterday

other options given Vance's unpopularity and the way he's going. Presently he's no leader and IMO the controlling oligarchs would have to build him up considerably before 2028 and they have the resources to do it.

But he is sorely lacking in the political sphere, and has little experience, skills or charisma. About all he has to offer is hate, misogyny, anti immigration and ambition. We'll see.

Eta. Known as the hillbilly fraud, the two enterprises Vance set up to assist people in Ohio and Kentucky were to bolster his senate campaign only and folded in 2 years and accomplished nothing. He's not an effective or likeable public figure at all, esp. compared to Walz.


Debate: Vance won't answer when asked by Walz if Trump lost in 2020.

FakeNoose

(35,048 posts)
5. If Vance runs for Pres in 2028, it means he can't get re-elected as Senator from Ohio
Fri Oct 4, 2024, 05:07 PM
Yesterday

It has to be one or the other. Let him run for Pres and LOSE, then we're rid of him for good.

I find it hard to believe that he'd do better in 2028 than Chump did in 2020. and Chump LOST in 2020. Kamala will win a 2nd term unless something goes VERY wrong between now and then. I don't believe it will, and I believe she'll win a 2nd term.

Latest Discussions»Editorials & Other Articles»JD Vance, Handpicked Lead...