JD Vance being called to serve as Trump’s running mate is not without detractors. The main detractors are the Groypers and the Classical Liberals/Neocons. With that said, the messaging of JD Vance has been consistent, in that he is intended to resonate with the forgotten American who has a high view of America as a homeland. Regardless of Vance’s flaws, where he seems most effective for the long term, is his ability to destroy the Proposition Nation.
Beginning with Abraham Lincoln was the view that America is an idea, and this viewpoint had blossomed. After World War II, it was the dominant view of America, that we are a creedal nation. As part of this idea, America has opened its borders, sent men off to die for democracy, outsourced middle class manufacturing, and abandoned its Christian heritage.
But JD Vance rejects the Proposition Nation. He articulates that America is more than an idea. It’s a people with a common history and heritage. According to Vance’s view, America is a homeland and a nation.
This makes JD Vance a Nationalist, but more importantly, JD Vance is popularizing nationalism in a country desperate for an identity. The Proposition Nation has relegated America to an idea that Americans do not agree on. This has created a massive identity crisis. JD Vance is the perfect man to resolve the quest for purpose as a nation, as he champions the hometown and the Heritage America of Appalachia.
Maybe Trump thought that Hillbilly Elegy would make America love JD Vance and thus sell a second term. The long-term strategic implications of Vance being Vice President could reforge America’s identity from idea to nation.
2 Responses
JD Vance called Trump “the American Hitler” and was championed by Peter Thiel, openly gay, technocrat billionaire. Trump had a true chance to unite the country by choosing Tim Scott who opened his RNC speech praising Jesus. Consequently, I am sitting this one out.
Sad. You’ve ceded a vote for Biden because you didn’t get your way? Do we not remember the traitor Pence was?