JD Vance: America First Warrior

Critics have been howling at Vice President JD Vance lately. The wailing and aspersions flow from predictable quarters, especially the legacy media and the establishment GOP neocons.  

Why do they protest so vehemently? Because they know, in their bones, that Vance showcases exactly the kind of muscular leadership that is demanded by the patriotic populist movement. Moreover, they recognize, deep down, that this kind of agenda and power politics will almost surely lead to his nomination for the presidency in 2028. 

In recent weeks, the vice president has been omnipresent across the media and has excelled in three critical lanes: 

First, he has excelled as a peace negotiator. Perhaps the strangest attack upon Vance erupts from Washington, D.C., foreign policy establishment Republicans. These pro-intervention hawks have pushed overseas warmaking for decades, leading to massive losses for regular citizens. Their litany of failed interventions led, in large part, to the massive debts that currently beguile our country. 

Additionally, those neocon adventures planted the seeds of the America First populist cause. Ever since Donald Trump came down the golden escalator in 2015, many of his most fervent supporters have been veterans—like Vance himself—who grew disillusioned with bipartisan failures.  

The neocon crowd joins with big-business interests and Democrats to “invade the world, then invite the world” via mass migration. That rinse-and-repeat cycle of misery planted the seeds of the populist nationalist response that now finds a young champion and successor in Vance. 

When the interventionist conservatives try to malign the VP as a peacemaker, the only logical response—and one that will win GOP primaries—is: “Yes, guilty as charged.” Now, will the tenuous peace hold? Who knows? There are so many crosscurrents. But Vance proves that he is a leader ready for the world stage. 

Second, he has proved to be a fearless advocate. Like his boss, Vance displays an uncanny willingness to engage with some of the most stridently biased people and platforms in America. How many politicians can handle shows like “The View” and “Real Time with Bill Maher” with such grace, smarts, and aplomb? 

In particular, Vance has shown repeatedly that he can discuss his new Catholic faith with theological understanding and then pivot effortlessly to a defense of the Trump administration’s actions to contain Iran. His intellect and charm both shine through, and he brings an authenticity that is now required in the Trump era of politics. 

Not only does he gladly encounter tough situations and interviews—he also dives into the most heated issues, including immigration. His defense of law-and-order immigration enforcement provides a roadmap for the 2026 midterms, as all of my extensive polling shows this issue is still the biggest winner for the Right heading into November. 

Third, he has proven himself to be a brilliant political tactician. He can play political chess at the grandmaster level.  

Prediction markets have taken note: Kalshi currently shows a material widening in favor of Vance to be the favorite for the 2028 GOP nomination. 

Of course, Vance cannot comment on such matters and truly remains laser-focused on continuing his performance as an outstanding vice president. But clearly, he must concurrently demonstrate his positioning chops—mainly to the voters but also to donors and a very skeptical media. 

In this regard, the shrieks of his critics prove the gravity of his looming candidacy. The rear guard of the Washington establishment Bushies pines for a return to the “good old days” of profiting off a managed decline of America. These District of Columbia creatures dearly want to return to a pre-Trump era once the 47th presidency ends. 

They see the skills and agenda of Vance as the natural next phase of America First, and they practically cannot contain their primal screams. 

But for American voters, the party has already fully transformed. Thanks to the indispensable man, Donald Trump, the patriotic populist movement has earned power—an amazing rise from the political fringes to governing power in just over a decade. 

In terms of a successor, no one is better able to continue the Trump coalition than Vance, and his critics know it. Hence their scorn, which the vice president should wear as a badge of honor.  

Meanwhile, Vance and President Trump will continue the hard work of restoring the country, reclaiming sovereignty, and rebuilding an economy that works for Main Street.

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