Middletown, Ohio — After being introduced as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s running mate last week at the Republican National Convention, Ohio Republican Senator JD Vance was accorded a hero’s welcome this afternoon in his hometown of Middletown, Ohio.
“The idea,” said Vance, “that George Soros and Barack Obama and a couple of elite Democrats … decided to throw Joe Biden overboard is an insult to voters.
Hundreds of Ohioans thronged the Middletown Performing Arts Center at the Middletown High School. Vance was not scheduled to speak until 2:00 p.m., but they began queuing up early, undaunted by long lines and nasty weather. The line to the entrance extended around the building for more than a mile. As for the weather, it was no deterrent. Attendees withstood rain and heavy storms throughout the morning, coming early to share their excitement for the hometown hero. (READ MORE from Hunter Oswald: The Plot That Almost Killed Hitler)
The scene had a festive vibe. Those waiting in line played music and did group chants, invoking Vance’s name or shouting the now-famous Trump slogan from Butler, Pennsylvania: “Fight! Fight! Fight!” People from all backgrounds came wearing “Trump-Vance” t-shirts. Meanwhile across the street, a group of Democrat dissenters gathered in protest. But they were small.
There was a lot of good midwestern conversation. The hometown folks seemed eager to share their thoughts and enthusiasm with The American Spectator.
Chris, a Middletown native, expressed his excitement for Vance, whose Hillbilly Elegy made him famous long before his elevation by Trump. “His story resonates with me,” says Chris. “His challenges are some of the challenges that I have experienced in my life.” Beyond his personal identification with Vance, Chris believes that Vance “will attract younger voters” to the Trump ticket, “which is great.”
Vance’s unique personal story was something that these small town southern Ohio natives could certainly relate to, but they also understood that people nationwide could relate. Donald, another resident, told me that “Vance’s unique experience is one of his greatest strengths.”
The rally began with Republican local and state officials from around the Butler County area (yes, ironically, Middletown, Ohio shares the same county name as Butler, Pennsylvania) and state of Ohio, along with Republican national candidates, particularly Ohio’s U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno (who is locked into an important race with incumbent Ohio Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown) and U.S. Representative Warren Davidson. Moreno and Davidson vocally shared their support for Donald Trump and expressed why they believed that JD Vance is the right guy to be at Trump’s side in 2024.
Then came Vance’s turn to speak. The room where he spoke was filled with over 800 people — the max capacity for the venue. I was told that organizers had to turn away almost a thousand people.
Vance did not speak long, but he spoke effectively. For about 30 minutes, Trump’s running mate spoke to supporters about what he and Trump wish to do. For the majority of the rally, Vance spoke about how the “fight” (a common word of the afternoon) for America was grounded in “fighting for Middletown.” Vance talked about how his upbringing in Middletown had meant so much to him. He said that his hometown had a special “something that if we don’t fight [for it], will not be around for the next generation of kids.”
Vance addressed various national issues. He spoke of “fixing the crisis” at the Southern border, of his and Trump’s plan to reassert America’s energy independence, and to “fight to restore the American dream.” Those statements had the crowd on its feet cheering, “Drill baby, drill!” and “U.S.A.! U.S.A!”
A theme of Vance’s speech was that the fight for Middletown, Ohio is a fight for the forgotten towns and people of America.
In closing, Vance emphasized the peculiar nature of this election, addressing the Democratic Party’s dumping of Joe Biden as the nominee, despite Biden winning the party’s primary. “The idea,” said Vance, “that George Soros and Barack Obama and a couple of elite Democrats got into a smoke-filled room and decided to throw Joe Biden overboard is an insult to voters. That is not how it works. That’s a threat to democracy.” (READ MORE: Keir Starmer’s Win Signals the UK’s New Leftist Course)
JD Vance’s message is clear; if America is to be restored and offer its children a future of hope and opportunity, then Americans must vote to reelect Donald Trump. And as Democrats face chaos and uncertainty from the fallout of Joe Biden’s decision to not run for reelection, Vance’s very personal and classic midwestern rally was a clear signal of his certain commitment to fight to win the 2024 election.
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