J.D. Vance–All the Right Enemies
J. D. Vance has been nominated as the Republican candidate for Vice President. I wrote about Vance, and his book Hillbilly Elegy, about 3.5 years ago. The end of the piece talks about the venom directed at Vance and those he wrote about when the movie version of the book came out:
In sum, Hillbilly Elegy is a Rorschach Test. Show it to me, and it evokes the attributes and deep flaws and great struggles of my family–struggles that made it possible for me to have an unbelievable blessed life that has been able to grab the boundless opportunities America offers. Show it to the coastal “elite” and it triggers all they hate about America, and many who live in it.
Streetwiseprofessor.com
That disdain and vituperation has been turned up to 11 since Trump announced him as his VP choice. It’s fair to say that VDS–Vance Derangement Syndrome–has spread faster than the Spanish Flu on the left.
It’s hard to choose the most insane of the criticisms, but I think this gem from some MSNBC lunatic (but I repeat myself) is a heavy favorite:
MSNBC’s Alex Wagner accused Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance of dropping an “easter egg of white nationalism” by mentioning that he hoped to be buried in his family’s plot in Kentucky during his speech at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night:
MSN
It’s easy to understand why Trump chose Vance. Trump wants to be an impactful president. He wants to leave a lasting legacy. A MAGA legacy. Of all national political figures, Vance is most closely aligned with Trump ideologically. He is young. There is no one more fit to make MAGA a historical era, rather than a transient phase tied to a particular personality.
And perhaps it is this that is driving the left even more insane than usual about a decision (choice of a vice president) that is seldom of great and lasting importance.
Trump wisely rejected all of the traditional criteria for choosing a VP, specifically ideological, geographical, and identity balancing. Picking a say Nicky Haley as VP would have ensured that Trump’s impact would be evanescent (except on the mental health of the left). Historically such decision making has worked out badly–G. H. W. Bush being perhaps the best example.
As for Vance, he truly does tick all of the Jacksonian boxes identified by Walter Russell Mead in his famous article of decades ago. Most notable is his belief in the primacy of what Mead called the American “folk community” (something that was a big part of his acceptance speech) as opposed to newcomers and foreigners. This is precisely the thing that the progressive left considers a barbarous atavism, especially considering those whom Vance considers to be the bedrock of the folk community. Hint: they don’t live in Brooklyn, NY. (Some in Brooklyn, MI maybe).
Relatedly, no globalist he. With that comes a foreign policy vision starkly at odds with the Uniparty consensus that harkens back to Republicans of an earlier era, like Henry Cabot Lodge and (fellow Ohioan) Robert Taft, and indeed to George Washington with his aversion to foreign entanglements. He is an anti-Wilsonian–and hence an anti-Bushian and anti-neocon, which is why people likely Lindsey Graham looked so glum when Vance spoke in Milwaukee. And keep Vladamir Zelensky away from sharp objects.
This mission to protect the folk community also leads him to favor trade protectionism, also something of a throwback to historical Republican policy–the Republicans were the protectionist party, and the Democrats the free traders, through the 19th and early 20th centuries. He is also well-disposed to various forms of industrial policy and minimum wages and has said nice things about antitrust loon Lina Khan.
Another Jacksonian trait is his intense hostility to the political establishment, the economic elite (corporations now, the Bank of the US in Jackson’s day), and the federal bureaucracy.
I share many of Vance’s views, and so I heartily support his candidacy–especially when considering the alternatives. Where I part ways is on economic policy (which is true of Jacksonianism generally). Protectionism for the purpose of supporting domestic industry is highly inefficient: one could have a debate about the merits of substituting tariffs for other forms of taxation that also have distortionary effects (e.g., capital taxation) but the flaws of protecting dying industries are beyond dispute. Minimum wages are another disaster. If the current experience in California’s fast food industry isn’t convincing enough, he’s not capable of being convinced on this.
Various forms of industrial policy, which in the end come down to picking winners and losers, propping up the winners with subsidies and protection and entry barriers, are also disasters in waiting that have no chance of achieving their stated objectives and which inevitably wreak huge collateral damage.
The best way to rejuvenate American industries is to lift the appalling regulatory burden that has been heaped on them for decades–a process that has reached a frenzied level under Biden. Here Vance’s antipathy to the bureaucracy could be the spur to meaningful action.
In brief–slash away at existing policies and regulations: don’t add new ones. That would help the American folk community immensely.
Of course, all policy views are aspirational. Given that Jacksonians are hardly a major presence in Congress, the media, or the bureaucracy, the ability of Trump and Vance to realize their aspirations is doubtful, at best. But at least it will help to have the executive pushing in the right direction and against the DC consensus, rather than pushing it forward with all its might (as with the current administration).
I had been hoping that Trump would choose Vance, and did so fully aware of my areas of disagreement. On the biggest issues–the overawing power of the federal government and its abuse thereof, immigration, and a more restrained, non-globalist, non-Wilsonian foreign policy–Vance is on the right side. Where he’s not, I can live with.
But precisely because of where he stands on those big issues, he has achieved Derangement Syndrome Status faster than perhaps faster than anyone in history. Considering those he has deranged, that’s the biggest endorsement of all. He has all the right enemies. May he destroy them–he has already driven them mad.
Maybe Trump will put Vance in charge to shuttering the many crud departments of the Executive: Education, HUD, HHS, DoE, and especially DHS, including the EPA and the FBI, and the Operations Directorate of the CIA.
Doing so’d go a long way to removing the bits you don’t like, Craig.
Also, the entire military seriously needs purging of the wokeistas in command. Vance must certainly have ideas about achieving that, along with Michael Flynn. Include retirement of Lt. Gen. Steve Gilland superintendent of West Point and rededication of the mission statement to duty, honor, and country.
Comment by Pat Frank — July 19, 2024 @ 9:30 pm
I hope Vance is the Jacksonian leader of the american folk. But while he says he wants to be buried in Kentucky, he married a Hindu he met at Yale, and runs with the silicon valley crowd of Peter Thiel. The signals are pretty mixed.
So, I don’t know who he is really going to be. I suppose that’s where I was with Trump in 2016. Maybe Vance will also turn out better than I expect.
I can think of a few men I would have preferred in the VP slot – mostly from the jacksonian minority in Congress. Still, Vance is better than anyone from the Bush wing of the party.
Comment by Jack — July 20, 2024 @ 2:28 am
Do you think he is fully baked, or will he learn and change his opinions/thoughts with new information? Obama was fully formed, and a statue. His belief system changed little from the time he was in his late teens to today
Comment by Jeff Carter (@pointsnfigures1) — July 20, 2024 @ 6:58 am
I have a quick question for you. A few years ago I read “Free Trade Doesn’t Work” by Ian Fletcher and it convinced me that we should bring back tariffs. I’m sure you’re aware of the book but I don’t remember you writing a post addressing Fletcher’s arguments. What did he get wrong? Our industry has been savaged and I know a lot of it is due to regulation but I believe that tariffs would help bringing back industry to the U.S. TIA.
Comment by Glenn — July 20, 2024 @ 7:24 am
One of my grandfathers grew up in an Irish Roman Catholic slum. His account of it could have been written by an Orangeman – it was indeed priest-ridden, violent, drunken, and dishonest.
He resolved to leave as soon as he could, which turned out to be after his mother died (he had supported her with no help from his siblings). Otherwise I don’t know a lot about him other than that he became a successful businessman, both my parents loved him dearly, and he died when I was little more than a baby.
I once asked my father what he was like. Said Dad, smiling – he kept all his Irish charm. Said Dad, frowning – unfortunately he kept all his Roman Catholic anti-semitism too.
None of us can shake off all of our upbringing but he had clearly successfully shaken off much of his. He did pass on one piece of wisdom: “All Irish history is lies”.
Comment by dearieme — July 20, 2024 @ 9:05 am
All four comments (so far) incisive and insightful. Pat, Jeff & Jack very well put. Dearie, you surprise me. Also very well written and you demonstrate a human side not often seen in your comments. Keep it up. I know none of you seek approval for comments. You write because you need to. All four comments were on the mark in my opinion. Thanks.
Comment by Donald Wolfe — July 20, 2024 @ 9:29 am
@Jeff Carter. Interesting question. I think so. Though maybe Trump picked him precisely because he thinks that Vance is sufficiently unformed that he can mold him into the heir that he wants.
Comment by cpirrong — July 20, 2024 @ 10:43 am
mmmmmmmh. Too bad our dear professor failed to mention that JD V’s political career is heavily sponsored by the tech investor Peter Thiel. Funny when it’s the other side of the aisle, it’s all about the dark money elite string-pullers, but not here. Gee I wonder why?
Maybe Jack can also enlighten us where the contradiction lied between wanting to be buried in Kentucky and marrying a Hindu. Is this forbidden by Vishnu or another god?
Comment by [email protected] — July 20, 2024 @ 2:23 pm
Vance is a good pick.Hillbilly Elegy is a great book and he has a compelling cv.
Also he sends the legacy media here in the UK – even on the “right” – completely doolally, so that’s a good thing.
However, he cares nothing about Ukraine. I’m a little surprised that you endorse him nevertheless.
Comment by philip — July 20, 2024 @ 3:57 pm
If the Secret Service was so stretched for manpower that it couldn’t protect Trump properly how is it going to cope when it must additionally protect Kennedy and the two VP candidates?
Put otherwise: brave chap, Vance.
Comment by dearieme — July 20, 2024 @ 4:08 pm
“Picking a say Nicky Haley as VP would have ensured that Trump’s impact would be evanescent (except on the mental health of the left).” Hahaha. Priceless!
“Most notable is his belief in the primacy of what Mead called the American “folk community” (something that was a big part of his acceptance speech) as opposed to newcomers and foreigners.” As a paid-up citizen of nowhere, or as Stalin would have it, a rootless cosmopolitan, that is to say I’m Jewish, I have no problem with family and folk politics provided, you know, I don’t get deported along with the mass. Just saying ..
Having spent some considerable time at Yale Law School, I have to say the people encountered there impressed me with their brainpower. Definitely the smartest legal minds in America. If J.D. went there, watch out! He’s destined for great things and may end up surprising Trump.
Comment by Simple Simon — July 21, 2024 @ 11:06 am
Sorry but I completely missed this season of The Apprentice. Were there any other candidates of note, or was it a cast of just the one?
Odd choice, let’s be honest. Trump better watch out, this fella has got all the hallmarks of a cuckoo. I reckon you are all going to hate him in a few years. Bewares the Ides of Pence…
Comment by David Mercer — July 21, 2024 @ 2:46 pm
Wasn’t Vance a paid-up never-Trump republican in 2016 – I think even literal described Trump as a Hitler, but switched sides as he saw how the sands were shifting? And then cowardly deleted all his previous tweets criticising Trump? That’s a huge flip-flop – not at all Jacksonian-like.
He has suggested Ukraine should let Putin annex territory in the name of peace – demonstrating a deeply naive or ignorant view of Russian behaviour over the last couple of decades, even centuries. Russia has never and will never be at “peace” – it’s like a shark – to survive it has to keep moving, interfering with neighbours, undermining Western and US interests anywhere it can.
I know you liked his book, prof, a lot. Yeah he annoys lots of annoying people – but is that enough?
Comment by derriz — July 21, 2024 @ 2:59 pm
To extend an earlier comment: If the Secret Service was so stretched for manpower that it couldn’t protect Trump properly how is it going to cope when it must additionally protect Kennedy and the two VP candidates AND the new Democrat presidential candidates?
Comment by dearieme — July 21, 2024 @ 3:06 pm
@1 Did SLAC’s colliders get a measurement on how long Trumps’ call for unity lasted before him resorting to type? As much as a femtosecond??
Comment by David Mercer — July 21, 2024 @ 3:24 pm
Peter Thiel was a big supporter of Trump in 2016 and has not changed his opinion as far as I know.
J.D. has a very inspiring life story. His opinions have evolved over recent years and seem to me to be the kind that can help our nation to flourish.
Comment by Margaret — July 21, 2024 @ 3:35 pm
@libte–1. Better Thiel than Soros, Reid Hoffman, Zuck, etc., etc., etc. 2. Thiel doesn’t put up with idiots. 3. Many of Vance’s populist/Jacksonian positions are clearly at odds with Thiel’s libertarian ones. So he hasn’t been suborned by Thiel.
And if you think wanting to be buried in Kentucky is somehow inconsistent with marrying a Hindu you’re even more of a bigot than I had thought. Exactly the kind of thing I was referring to in my Hillbilly Elegy post about the sneering prejudices of the left.
If you want to barf up Dem talking points, feel free to do it elsewhere.
Comment by cpirrong — July 21, 2024 @ 4:01 pm
ehhhhhhh? Take a deep breath and read the thread and the post again, will you? @cpirrong
Jack in the second comment said verbatim :”But while he says he wants to be buried in Kentucky, he married a Hindu he met at Yale, and runs with the silicon valley crowd of Peter Thiel. The signals are pretty mixed.”
To which I asked whether this individual (Jack) could explain to the rest of the readers the contradiction between wanting to be buried in Kentucky and marrying a Hindu, because I can’t see one.
Comment by [email protected] — July 21, 2024 @ 5:59 pm
They painted a bullseye on Trump.
And missed.
Now Trump has so many attack lines:
1, If Joe isn’t fit for 2025, is he fit for 2024?
2. why has Harris been annointed by a clearly demented person?
3. Why hasn’t the 25th amendment been invoked?
5. With a senile president, the government has been taken over by unelected appointees. That’s not how the constitution is supposed to work.
6-
7-
8-
etc
A target rich environment, as they say.
As I said on another thread, you don’t want to trust your enemies (deep state, secret service) with your security. But Trump and Vance can now afford their own.
Comment by philip — July 21, 2024 @ 7:22 pm
@Simple Simon.
1. Thanks for the “Priceless!”
2. You have no need for concern re being deported. The very fact that Vance has a Hindu wife (something that @libte is obsessed with) demonstrates that his conception of the American folk community is quite ecumenical. Over the decades–centuries really–the Jacksonian folk community has expanded to encompass those who the original Jacksonians would have excluded, Catholics most notably but also Jews. Indeed the enthusiasm of some evangelicals for Israel (which I know is understandably unsettling, and for good reason) illustrates that “Jacksonian” is not a synonym for “anti-semite.” (As does Vance’s strong support for Israel despite his Jacksonian skepticism about foreign entanglements generally).
Hell, I come from Jacksonian roots, and my wife is Jewish. The Jacksonians from whom I descend (my maternal grandparents) were incredibly welcoming to her. To her shock, I might add. My grandmother and her grandmother got along famously.
The latter facts highlight the issue that you raise. I am familiar with Jewish anxieties about where they stand in America, particularly with the rural, or the non-urban generally, and not just because of my marriage to a Jew. I grew up literally across the street from Skokie, IL. Jews represented a large proportion of my circle in high school (which took in students from a large part of Skokie as well as Evanston). I spent 8 years at what was probably the most Jewish university outside of a yeshiva in the U.S., and five of the six members of my PhD committee were Jewish (the sixth being Armenian). My only two real jobs in life (during my 20s, before I became an academic) were working for firms with almost exclusively Jewish management. So I have heard a lot over the years sentiments similar to yours.
But I also know the other side and I can state confidently that although there is obviously a cultural distance, you don’t have to be concerned about being excluded from the “American folk community” simply for being a Jew.
Comment by cpirrong — July 23, 2024 @ 9:21 am
My take on the “American folk community” is people inhering an admixture of Constitutional freedoms, don’t tread on me, a dislike of officious busybodies, and screw the rest of the world.
Anyone can join.
Comment by Pat Frank — July 23, 2024 @ 2:17 pm
@19 There’s been plenty of occasions in recent history when a sitting President has gone AWOL. Trump with Covid (plus his numerous golfing excursions), Dubya for pretty much the first six months of his tenure until 9/11 interrupted his sojourn.
And for 25th A succession planning, I’ve seen enough Jack Ryan films to know there’s are robust processes in place.
As for these being used as lines of attack, its all pretty thin gruel TBH. You guys need to up your game.
Comment by David Mercer — July 23, 2024 @ 2:45 pm
@21 Its a horribly unusable term from a campaign perspective – won’t play at all well in the likes of Nashville. It’ll go the way of Trump’s call for unity, mark my words.
Comment by David Mercer — July 23, 2024 @ 2:55 pm
@David Mercer. Oh fucking spare us. You think this is precedented? As if. And you think that what we are seeing is real “succession planning”? Hope you have no drug tests coming up. You’ll fail.
The real reason they aren’t going the 25A route is that would require Congressional hearings that would open the door to uncomfortable questions about how Biden’s withdrawal really went down and how long Harris and others knew about his decrepitude.
The fact is that we have Schrodinger’s President. The Democrats want him to be simultaneously alive and dead, and we aren’t allowed to look in the box (as 25A hearings would allow).
Comment by cpirrong — July 24, 2024 @ 4:08 pm
@Pat Frank. That’s spot on.
Comment by cpirrong — July 24, 2024 @ 4:09 pm
@20 @cpirrong.
The second comment on this thread was a bigoted comment from Jack about JD Vance being married to a Hindu. I called it out, no one else did. And now you are sneering at me for being obsessed about his Hindu wife. What a strange fella you are.
Comment by [email protected] — July 25, 2024 @ 7:37 am
@cpirrong
Thank you for your kind thoughts re the anxieties of Jews in America.
I know that any discussion of Blut und Boden aka Blood and Soil politics is likely to be fraught.
So, to avoid what it likely to become unpleasantness, I fall back on what I like to call the grand tradition of Attican supremacy. In the first few pages of The Peloponnesian War, Thucydides alludes to the innate connection between the soil of Attica and the exceptional character of the Athenian, one that marks them out for difference, distinction and excellence as compared to the other civilized Greeks.
It also helps shed light on the exclusion of ‘furriners’ from any possiblity of citizenship, a policy (philosophy?) which marks the dividing line/abyss between the relatively rapid decline and fall of Athens and the monumental resilience, expansion and success of the Roman state.
Indeed, the Roman acceptance of former slaves as citizens is, after a fashion, exemplary and admirable. Barely a racist bone in the Roman body (is this right??). The aristocrats might have sniffed but that didn’t stop the ambitious from getting ahead.
Comment by Simple Simon — July 28, 2024 @ 12:49 pm